Defending champion goes low in Montreal

Golf News

Aug 17, 2007, 2:20 GMT

Ile Blizard, QC - Defending champion Wes Heffernan fired a nine-under-par 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the Montreal Open.'I just like this city,' joked Heffernan, already a two-time winner this season. 'I've been struggling in Canada so I've really worked hard on my game these past couple of weeks. Looks like it paid off early.'Canadian Tour money leader Spencer Levin and Roberto Castro are knotted in second place at seven-under 65. Ryan Thornberry is alone in fourth place at minus-six.There was a one-hour weather delay in the middle of round one, but the entire field completed play.Heffernan won twice before the season was five weeks old, but missed the cut in his first three events when the tour reached Canada. He made his last two weekends, but never threatened the lead.On Thursday, he wasted little time in getting into red figures. He drained a 15-foot birdie putt at one, then made one from 30 feet for a birdie at the third.Heffernan needed only 26 putts on Thursday and posted nines of 32 and 31 for a new course record at the new Saint Raphael course. Although Hefferenan was not optimistic about going wire-to-wire.'I think historically it's not a precursor to winning,' acknowledged Heffernan. 'I'm hoping to change that this week but there is a lot of work to do.'Richard Franklin, Kevin Pom Arleau, Alex Quiroz, Tom Stankowski and Dong Yi are tied for fifth place at five-under-par 67.Jean van de Velde, who famously lost the 1999 British Open at Carnoustie, opened with a one-under 71 and is tied for 60th place.© 2007 The Sports Network

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