Kaufman can leave punters smiling by going low in Canada

Round Two
Live on Sky Sports Golf, 8pm Thursday

Five players shared the lead after the first round of the Canadian Open with a large group just one shot off the pace as Glen Abbey saw a Thursday birdie-fest.

Hudson Swafford, Brandon Hagy, Kevin Chappell, Matt Every and Ollie Schniederjans all shot seven-under rounds of 65 to rocket to the top of the congested leaderboard.

They are stalked by reigning champion Jhonattan Vegas, who is among the host of golfers who are one back, while big names Keegan Bradley, JB Holmes and Ian Poulter are two off the lead.

Ante-post favourite Dustin Johnson is also in that group and his price has halved into 7-2 from a pre-tournament 7-1.

Matt Kuchar, possibly suffering with an Open Championship hangover after his near-miss at Birkdale, could only card a one-under-par 71 and is in danger of missing the cut.

Afternoon threeball punters can take a chance on Smylie Kaufman replicating his Thursday performance by again shooting the lowest round of the 6.05pm group.

Kaufman fired four rounds in the 60s at last week's Barbasol Championship and appears to have brought plenty of confidence to Canada.

He tees off alongside Brian Gay - who finished in a tie for third at the Barbasol but has been in poor form for much of the season and opened up with a 71 yesterday - and Stewart Cink, who carded a 68 despite struggling with his game off the tee.

Recommendation
S Kaufman to win threeball
2pts 7-4 Betfred