Stoltz leads by 2 in Saskatchewan

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (SportsNetwork.com) - Drew Stoltz fired a 9-under 63 on Thursday and he took a 2-stroke lead after one round of the Dakota Dunes Open.

Stoltz is coming off a missed cut at the Syncrude Boreal Open. He made the cut in his previous two PGA Tour Canada starts, but finished outside the top 35 both times.

Matt Harmon, who shared fifth place two weeks ago in Alberta, carded a 65 and is alone in second place at minus-7, while Ryan Yip, who shared second at this event last year, opened with a 65 and stands alone in third.

Brock Mackenzie, Beon Yeong Lee, Jeff Corr and Benjamin Silverman are tied for fourth place at 4-under 68 at Dakota Dunes Golf Links.

Stoltz birdied the first, then traded a bogey for a birdie from the fifth. He made eagle on the par-5 seventh to jump to minus-3.

Around the turn, Stoltz notched back-to-back birdies at 10 and 11. His momentum was briefly halted as he bogeyed the 12th, but he came right back with birdies on 13 and 14 to jump to 6-under.

Stoltz parred the par-3 15th, then birdied the final three holes to post 63.

Harmon played the back nine first on Thursday, and he notched four birdies and an eagle in his first nine holes. Around the turn, Harmon bogeyed the third, but came back with birdies on five and seven to end two back.

NOTES: Stoltz played the five par-5s in 5-under par with three birdies and an eagle ... Last year's winner, Wil Collins, has moved on to the Web.com Tour.