Hunter Mahan birdied the final three holes for an 8-under 64 and a two-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the Canadian Open.
Coming off a ninth-place tie last week in the British Open, the five-time PGA Tour winner had eight birdies in his bogey-free round at Glen Abbey to reach 13-under 131.
"I kind of built off last week," Mahan said. "I got some good things I'm doing with my swing and everything, and feel good about that. I'm just going out there and really trying to trust my game."
After starting the day one shot off the pace, Australia's Scott Gardiner fell back to the pack with a two-over 74 to be nine shots behind Mahan.
Aaron Baddeley is the leading Australian hope following a second-straight round of 68 to be eight-under for the event and is five behind the leader.
Alistair Presnell is the next best-placed Australian a further three shots behind Baddeley at five under after carding an impressive second round 67.
American John Merrick was second after a 62. He tied the course record set by Leonard Thompson in 1981 and matched by Andy Bean in 1983 - both when Glen Abbey played to a par of 71 - and Greg Norman in 1986.
Merrick had an eagle and 10 birdies, playing the back nine in 6-under 31.
"It was a great day," Merrick said. "I got off to a good start, hit it over the green on 2 and chipped in for eagle, and that kind of calmed me down. ... I hit it well and made a lot of putts."
Bubba Watson was 9 under after a 67.
"I haven't been in too much trouble," Watson said. "When I hit it in the rough I have a decent lie or miss it in the right spot so I can hit the green in regulation. I missed three greens in two days, so I'm just hitting my irons well, playing smart golf, and then I made a few putts."
Patrick Reed shot 68 to reach 8 under, and Tommy Gainey (64), Chris Kirk (69) and James Hahn (68) followed at 7 under.
Mike Weir was the top Canadian, following his opening 73 with a 67 to move into a tie for 26th at 4 under.
"I could have been 10 under pretty easily," Weir said. "But played great, and it was exciting to do that for the fans. Yesterday was so dull, one birdie and nothing happening at all, so it was great to feel that kind of support out there and give them something to cheer about."
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