Dahmen leads by 2 in Alberta

Fort McMurray, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Joel Dahmen fired a 9-under 63 on Thursday to claim a 2-stroke lead after the opening round of the Syncrude Boreal Open.

Dahmen collected his first career win on the PGA Tour Canada at the season- opening PC Financial Open.

Evan Harmeling carded a 7-under 65 to sit alone in second place at Fort McMurray Golf Club, while Daniel Miernicki and Matt Hill shared third at 6- under 66.

Christopher Wolfe, Sean Shahi, Ryan Williams and Bruce Woodall are tied for fifth at 5-under 67.

Dahmen started on the back nine and opened his round on fire with four straight birdies. He would later trade a birdie at the 17th with a bogey at the 18th to make the turn at 4-under.

After parring the next two holes, Dahmen raced home with five birdies over his final six holes to vault to the top of the leaderboard.

Harmeling countered a lone bogey with eight birdies to finish two shots off of the pace.

NOTES: Defending champion Riley Wheeldon carded a 1-over 73 in the first round and is tied for 80th place … All three winners of this tournament have been Canada natives, Danny Sahl (2011), Cory Renfrew (2012) and Wheeldon … Hill lost to Wheeldon in a playoff here last season.

Categorized in: PGA