McCoy leads by 2 in Alberta

Fort McMurray, AB – Nate McCoy carded a 5-under 67 to grab a 2-stroke lead after Thursday's opening round of the Syncrude Boreal Open.

McCoy is in his first year on tour and matched his best score of the season. He shared 59th and 47th in his first two events.

Defending champion Danny Sahl posted a 3-under 67 to grab a share of second place. He was joined there by Matt Daniel, Kent Eger, Dan Buchner, Jae Woo Im, Roger Sloan, Joe Panzeri, Mark Hubbard and Andrew Roque.

Jaime Gomez, a two-time Canadian Tour winner, is one of six players tied for 11th at minus-2 at Fort McMurray Golf Club.

McCoy bogeyed the first, but came back with three consecutive birdies from the third. He parred the next four holes.

Around the turn, McCoy traded a birdie for a bogey from the 11th. He atoned for that mistake with a birdie on the 13th. McCoyt birdied 16 and 18 to close out his round.

Sahl started on the 10th and parred his first six holes. He birdied three of four holes from the 16th. Sahl stumbled to a bogey at the second, but finished his round with a birdie on the ninth to end in a tie for second.

NOTES: Last week's winner Michael Gligic struggled to a 3-over 75 and is tied for 78th...This is the second year of this event...Dustin Risdon and David Dragoo shared second last year. Risdon is tied for 27th at even-par, while Dragoo is one stroke back at plus-1.