Golf: Argentina's Grillo grabs first round lead at Canadian Open
The 22-year-old Argentinian went bogey free to lead Vaughn Taylor and Brian Harman.
TORONTO (AFP) - Emiliano Grillo, who began the week not knowing if he would even be able to get into the country, fired an eight-under 64 for a one-shot lead after the first round of the Canadian Open.
The 22-year-old Argentinian went bogey free to lead Vaughn Taylor and Brian Harman Thursday after qualifying to play in this PGA Tour event as a result of his top-10 finish at last week s Barbasol Championship in Alabama.
Americans Harman and Taylor carded matching seven-under 65s and they share second place at the Glen Abbey Golf Club.
Erik Compton, Steve Wheatcroft, South African Tyrone Van Aswegen and 17-year-old Australian Ryan Ruffels are one shot further back and tied for fourth following six-under 66s.
Grillo has never won in North America as he spends most of his time playing on the European Tour but he might consider a move in the future as has adapted quickly to the conditions on this side of the Atlantic.
Once he learned he was eligible to play this week, Grillo s first priority was to try and get a Canadian visa.
After talking to a few people, he decided the best way to get one was to travel to the US-Canada border and apply in person. So he flew to Buffalo, New York then drove to the border to take his chances.
"Yeah, it was a crazy week. The last eight, nine days has been crazy," Grillo said. "They told me that I wasn t able to get a visa in time, so I had to go to the Canadian border and ask for permission to play this tournament.
"I basically asked them and told them I don t have a visa. I m here to ask you for a permit .
"There is a kind of exception for athletes, but Canada has to gain something, and I have to gain something, so it kind of worked.
"Just pay the permit and go ahead. I m here now and a good, solid round today."
Grillo won the Argentine Open last year and lost in a playoff earlier this year at the Puerto Rico Open. On Thursday, he finished with eight birdies, including three on the four par-fives.
Taylor was also in the field after a top-10 result last week, and Harman had a stretch of four consecutive birdies and eight overall with one bogey in his round.
Defending champion Tim Clark, of South Africa, carded an even-par 72, putting him in a tie for 88th and eight shots back.
