By Dave Perkins
Special to PGATOUR.com

ANCASTER, Ont. -- On a shotmaker’s golf course, maybe it figured that Jim Furyk would make more than anyone else.

The world's No. 3-ranked golfer holed out a 9-iron for eagle early in his round as he sped to a tournament course record 7-under-par 63 and the early lead in the 102nd Canadian Open at venerable Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Furyk, canning a 121-yard uphill 9-iron at the 12th hole, his third of the day, eclipsed the course professional scoring record of 64 set by Tommy Armour in the 1930 Canadian Open at Hamilton. Armour's old mark was equalled by Brandt Jobe's round of 6-under. Jesper Parnevik, Arron Oberholser and Jonathan Byrd were another shot back at 5-under 65 with defending champion Mark Calcavecchia heading the group at 66.

The overall course record of 62 was set by Toronto amateur Warren Sye in the 1991 Ontario Amateur championship.

The soft conditions, particularly for the morning tee-off group, invited scoring over the 6,983-yard Hamilton layout and Furyk was aggressive on the style of golf course he most enjoys playing. It’s anything but a bomber’s layout, requiring both tee shots and approach shots to be worked, and he appreciates that type of track.

"I grew up in Pennsylvania and (on) courses built in the early 1900s, old traditional courses. And this one has that feel," Furyk said after his no-bogey round. "You look at my schedule on TOUR, I tend to play golf courses that fit that bill. And this is definitely that style. It's a very good one. I heard coming up here how good the course was and I think it definitely met expectations.

"I think you have to hit different shots on different ways on the golf course. You can't just tee it off and bomb it and go find it all the time. It makes you think a little bit more."

Furyk, second on the PGA TOUR money list this year behind Tiger Woods, his earmarked playing partner for the Ryder Cup in two weeks, still figures he can contend on any style of course. It’s just that he prefers the shotmaker's layouts.

“Most of the better players on the PGA TOUR feel like when their game is on, they’re going to compete no matter what golf course it is. And I feel like I have the capability of doing that,’’ he said. “But I’m more excited and I think I have more opportunities and a better chance to win at certain golf courses over others. You look at Sony Open and Colonial and Flint, Michigan. You start picking and choosing those courses. I think I’m going to have more opportunities to win events on those.’’

Still, there’s a strong leaderboard for Furyk to deal with between now and winning, obviously, with Jobe next in line in the early returns. It’s a spot he hasn’t occupied often this season

“This year it’s been a mess. A long year. I’ve struggled a lot with drivers, having trouble finding a driver,’’ said Jobe, whose 64, with six birdies and zero bogeys, matched his best round of the season. “When you’re playing well, obviously it’s fun. This year has been the exact opposite (of last year). I haven’t had a lot of fun playing golf.. It’s frustrating.’’