Arizona State's Jared du Toit shoots first round 65 at RBC Canadian Open
21 Jul 2016
by AmateurGolf.com Staff
SHARE:
Jared du Toit
(Golfweek Photo)
OAKVILLE, Ontario (July 21, 2016) -- Jared du Toit made his PGA Tour debut on Thursday at the RBC Canadian Open and played one of the best rounds of his life. Du Toit, a senior at Arizona State, fired a first round 5-under 67 and finds himself just one-stroke off the lead held by Dustin Johnson and Luke List at Glen Abbey Golf Club.
"It's the first time I've had to sign autographs after rounds. That was awesome," Jared du Toit told reporters following his round. "It's definitely in the top three rounds I've played in my career, just kind of feeling-wise and atmosphere."
Du Toit carded his 67 despite a double-bogey on No. 7. The British Columbia native came out of the gates firing with birdies on four of his first six holes to immediately move to the top of the leaderboard. The double-bogey did drop du Toit to 2-under but it didn't shake his confidence.
Following nine consecutive pars du Toit finished in fine fashion with a hole out from a fairway bunker for an eagle on the par-4 17th and a final hole birdie.
Speaking about the eagle du Toit said, "(I) just had to hit one good shot (and it) came out just how I wanted. I didn't even know it went in. Just somebody yelled by the green and said, 'Yeah, it's in.' It was awesome."
du Toir wasn't the only amateur to play well on Thursday. Garrett Rank, the top-ranked mid-amateur, played alongside du Toir and shot a 3-under 69. Rank, tied for 11th, did most of his work late with birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 and an eagle on the closing hole. Rank is a two-time Canadian Mid-Amateur champion.
-The Golf Channel contributed to this story