Swedish golfer Jesper Parnevik carded a four-under-par 66 to grab the early first-round lead at the Canadian Open today while titleholder Vijay Singh made an unsteady return from a back injury.
Without a win since 2001, Parnevik mixed six birdies with a pair of bogeys at the Shaughnessy Golf Club to move one shot clear of Americans Brandt Jobe, Scott Dunlap and 2004 British Open champion Todd Hamilton.
Fijian Singh, returning to action after missing last week's Deutsche Bank Championship, never found his rhythm on the treelined layout and returned a 73.
The world No 2, four times a winner this season, did not pick up a birdie all day.
Canadian Mike Weir, who lost last year's title to Singh in a playoff, struggled to the turn in five-over after five bogeys, a double bogey and two birdies.
But the 2003 Masters champion hit back with birdies on four of his last five holes to shoot 71.
- REUTERS
Golf: Parnevik leads in Vancouver
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