Australia's Scott Gardiner is one shot off the pace after the opening round of the US PGA Tour's Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario, forming an unlikely leaderboard behind pacesetter Brendan Steele on Thursday.
Steele fired a seven-under 65, while Gardiner shot seven birdies on his way to six under for a share of second alongside Americans Scott Brown and Matt Kuchar.
Gardiner's day included a scorching run of six birdies in a row starting at the par-five second.
The 37-year-old nabbed his last birdie of the day at the par-five 15th, but gave a stroke back with a bogey at the par-five 16th.
Aaron Baddeley is the next best-placed Australian, three shots back at four-under in a tie for seventh while Stuart Appleby is a further stroke behind in a share of 16th.
Steele carded eight birdies and needed just 28 putts on the par-72 Glen Abbey course.
"Overall, it was a good day," said Steele, who claimed his only US PGA Tour title to date at San Antonio in 2011.
"I hit a lot of good shots and was able to hole a lot of putts. I also didn't miss many greens or hit many shots off line, and I was able to roll a few putts in."
Kuchar's round included an eagle at the par-five 18th, his ninth hole of the day. After making the turn at five-under, Kuchar added back-to-back birdies at the second and third, but he ran into trouble at the par-four sixth.
Brown grabbed his share of second with a bogey-free effort that included six birdies.
Sweden's David Lingmerth and American Hunter Mahan shared fifth place on five-under 67, with another nine players -- including former Masters champions Trevor Immelman and Bubba Watson -- tied on 68.
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