C.T. Pan leads star-studded pack at RBC Canadian Open

TORONTO -- C.T. Pan caught on fire during the last two holes of the RBC Canadian Open, birdieing both to shoot a 6-under 66. He goes into Sunday sitting at 14-under and with a two-shot lead. The 31-year-old former University of Washington player from Taiwan won the 2019 RBC Heritage for his lone PGA TOUR title.

“It’s always cool to see my name on the top of the leaderboard,” Pan said. “Not just leaderboards, just to be in contention. That’s all I want to do before the tournament started. Finished birdie-birdie. That put me in a good spot. But I still got a lot of work to do.”

Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy also shot a 6-under 66 and sits two back of the lead. McIlroy birdied Nos. 11, 12 and 13, then parred the last five. “The putter went a little cold on me over those last five holes,” McIlroy said. “But overall, it’s great to put myself in with a shot tomorrow. There’s a lot of people up there around the lead, so it’s going to be a fun day.”

Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood (64) and Justin Rose (66), McIlroy’s European Ryder Cup teammates, also were two strokes back at 12 under along with Mark Hubbard (66), Harry Higgs (67) and Andrew Novak (67).

Nick Taylor was the top Canadian, shooting a course-record 63 on the composite layout at the historic 27-hole facility to get to 11 under. He's trying to become the first Canadian winner since Pat Fletcher in 1954.

Aaron Rai also was 11 under after a 69. Canadian Corey Conners was another stroke back after a 70.

Second-round leader Carl Yuan of China had a 74 to drop into a tie for 16th at 7 under.

Former top-ranked amateur Ludvig Aberg, the Swede who starred at Texas Tech, was tied for 33rd at 4 under after a 71in his pro debut.