Jared du Toit of Canada tees off on the second hole at the 2016 Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, on Saturday, July 23, 2016.
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Snedeker, the 2013 victor, reeled off five straight birdies from the second hole and closed strongly too for a 66 and a nine-under 207 total.
List made a nine-foot putt on the 18th hole to draw even with Johnson on Friday evening to remain co-leaders after two rounds at the Canadian Open. Du Toit, making his PGA Tour debut, has put himself in prime position to break one of his country’s most startling droughts – a Canadian hasn’t won the national open since Pat Fletcher in 1954.
The red-hot Johnson, who followed his U.S. Open win with a victory in the WGC Bridgestone and a tie for ninth at the British Open, said conditions were more hard on Friday.
Two birdies at the par fives towards the end of the round kept him in contention and he said: “I’m real happy the way I finished up”. Carl Keffer is the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914.
“It’s so cool. It’s a great feeling”, Rahm said about du Toit.
“I really don’t know what happened the first four holes”. “But I just kind of stayed patient”.
Johnson, who started the day tied with List for the lead, fell back early as he dropped four shots in his first four holes at Glen Abbey near Toronto. Obviously today I struggled a little bit there to start, but the game feels good.
“I’m playing out of my mind and I still can’t beat him”, du Toit joked. Hit hard and took off. 11 to 15. Birdies on holes 16 and 18 restored the Seattle native’s share of the lead. He shot a 76 on Friday after opening with a 69.
Shot of the day: Danny Lee made a 35-foot putt for eagle on 18 to make the cut on the number.
“The wind today nearly feels like it’s a little bit heavier and it’s affecting the ball a little bit more, and it’s a little bit different direction”, said Johnson.
“It’s over with now, but yeah, a little sour taste I guess on the final hole”, said Conners, who left the course before the projected cutline was moved, extending his weekend.
“It’s obviously disappointing but it’s another golf tournament, and I’m able to kind of get over it a little bit easier now than I used to be probably”, said DeLaet, who will represent Canada along with David Hearn in the Rio Olympics.
Scotland’s Martin Laird (68), Spain’s Jon Rahm (72) and Americans Cameron Tringale (69), Matt Kuchar (70), Chad Campbell (70) and Ricky Barnes (71) were tied on 210.
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Already closing in on Day’s world No.1 mark, a win would have him breathing down the Australian’s neck heading into next week’s PGA Championship.
