Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre is in the joint lead halfway through the Canadian Open while Rory McIlroy had a disappointing Friday.
MacIntyre followed up Thursday’s 64 with a 66 to post a 10-under total and take the lead at Hamilton Golf and Country Club before New Zealand’s Ryan Fox found himself on the same overall score when he shot six under 70 in the second round.
The so far bogey-free Ryder Cup winner is currently without a regular caddy and his father flew out on Sunday to carry him this week.
“We were coming in last and he said, ‘I think maybe I should start negotiating salary this week,'” MacIntyre said in his post-round interview.
“It’s an experience for both of us. He’s done a good job so far. It’s good for both of us, it’s taken my mind off golf completely.
Robert MacIntyre began the week with three top-15s in his last five starts, including a tie for eighth at the PGA Championship.
“After last week’s news (the death of Grayson Murray), things are way bigger than golf. We’re human beings and I put my dad on the bag and we’re just trying to enjoy it as much as possible because we don’t know how much time we have left.
“There were no expectations because a lot happened this week. I came out here, put my dad on the bag and tried to play smart golf, missing on the right side and I have done it until now.
“I had a chance everywhere I missed it and I had a chance to go up and down. I’m playing pretty solid and I’m happy with the first two days. I’m just trying to put myself in position to the weekend. “
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The left-hander holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the first and added another after reaching the par-five fourth in two.
His precise approach play on the back nine brought two more birdies after hitting it to seven feet on the short par-four 12th, then even closer on the 422-yard 15th.
MacIntyre couldn’t take advantage of the par-five 17th after having to back out of a fairway bunker, but he got up and went down for a par at the last.
Further down, McIlroy fell to a tie for 30th after a disappointing second round where he carded two-over 72.
McIlroy, who finished 12th at the PGA Championship, had just one birdie Friday and is eight shots off the lead.
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