Triple eagle boost for pacesetting Mahan at Angus

MARKHAM, Ontario, July 26 (Reuters) American Hunter Mahan soared spectacularly to the top of the leaderboard with three eagles in the Canadian Open first round at the Angus Glen Golf Club today.

Mahan, who overshadowed the other early starters, charged two shots clear with a record-equalling nine-under-par 62.

Australian Steve Allan was alone in second place after carding an eight-birdie 64, one stroke ahead of American Tripp Isenhour and Canada's David Hearn.

Mahan, who twice holed out from the fairway, became the fourth player in Canadian Open history to shoot a tournament low 62.

''To have that mark is pretty special, especially in a tournament like this that's been around forever, so that's kind of neat,'' Mahan told reporters after emulating Leonard Thompson (1981), Andy Bean (1983) and Greg Norman (1986).

Taking advantage of excellent conditions on Angus Glen's North Course, Mahan rattled up three eagles, five birdies and two bogeys.

CRAZY ROUND ''It was crazy,'' said the 25-year-old Californian, who won his first PGA Tour title at last month's Travelers Championship.

''Two hole-outs on the fairway, things I've never done before.

''I played pretty solid other than that, so it was a good way to start the day. The early morning greens were perfect and you definitely score out there right now.'' Texas-based Mahan raced to the turn in six-under 30 after eagling the 11th and holing out with a six-iron from 189 yards at the par-four 18th, his ninth hole of the day.

''It was just about as perfect a shot as I could hit,'' he said. ''It seemed like the pitch mark was right next to the hole.

It kind of hopped up and went straight in.'' After bogeying the par-four second, Mahan birdied the fourth and sixth before signing off with another eagle at the par-four ninth where he holed out with a sand wedge from 81 yards.

World number seven Vijay Singh, tournament champion at Glen Abbey in 2004, opened with a 68. Left-hander Mike Weir, looking to become the first Canadian winner since Pat Fletcher in 1954, returned a 71.

American world number three Jim Furyk, bidding to become the first player to win successive Canadian Open titles in 56 years, was among the late starters.

Reuters BJR VP0237