Virginia graduate Ben James claims early lead in professional debut at RBC Canadian Open
Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood trail by two shots as the defending champion and world No. 63 Eric Cole fall out of contention.
Ben James has seized a one-shot lead at the 36-hole mark of the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, marking a significant milestone in his professional debut on the PGA Tour. The University of Virginia graduate carded a 7-under 63 in the second round to finish at 10-under 130 at TPC Toronto in Caledon, Ontario. James, who earned his tour card by leading the PGA Tour University ranking after four years as an All-American, opened his round with a 25-foot eagle putt and maintained a bogey-free round over the Osprey Valley course.
The Virginia graduate has not made a bogey in his last 33 holes, a streak that includes this second-round performance. While James expressed a desire to simply experience the pressure of the final group, his score puts him ahead of a tightly packed field. A group of five players, including Sam Burns, Jackson Suber, Haotong Li, Keith Mitchell, and Jesper Svensson, sits one shot behind at 131. Burns, who tied for fourth at last week’s Memorial, shot a 67, while Li and Mitchell both carded 64s.
Brooks Koepka and Tommy Fleetwood are two shots back at 8-under. Koepka, who shot a 68, struggled early after losing a tee shot on the 13th hole, which resulted in a double bogey. However, he recovered with an eagle on the 18th hole. Fleetwood, who lost in a playoff at the Canadian Open three years ago, shot a 65 to join Koepka in the chasing pack. Defending champion Ryan Fox also sits two shots back after carding a 66.
The tournament’s stakes extend beyond the title, with the top 60 players in the world standings earning an exemption for the upcoming U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Eric Cole, who entered the week ranked No. 63, missed the cut after shooting a 76. Cole had been part of a six-way tie for the lead after 18 holes but started his second round with a triple bogey, eliminating his chances of securing the exemption.
James, who previously made the cut in two U.S. Opens via 36-hole qualifying in New York, described his performance as a baseline for his professional career. He noted that he was focused on getting comfortable and enjoying the experience rather than fixating on results. As the fifth-oldest championship in golf, dating back to 1904, the RBC Canadian Open provides a high-profile stage for James as he prepares for the weekend play.
