He opened with a 7-under 63 at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club on Thursday, carding an eagle on the par-4 12th. The American added back-to-back birdies on the fourth and fifth holes and birdied the ninth, 15th and 17th holes.

Furyk said the recent rain has changed the course.

``It makes a big difference,'' Furyk told TSN after his round. ``I heard the golf course was very firm and fast. It's obviously going to play tougher in those conditions. With the greens being soft and the course being in good shape, it allows us to get aggressive. You're going to see some good scores out there.''

Brandt Jobe is a stroke off the pace after shooting a 64.

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and Americans Arron Oberholser and Jonathan Byrd are in the clubhouse at 5-under while defending champion Mark Calcavecchia shot a 4-under 66 and is tied with Japan's Ryuji Imada.

Ian Leggatt of Cambridge, Ont., shot a 70.

Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., and Stephen Ames of Calgary had afternoon tee times.