Robert Garrigus carded a nine-under-par 63 on Thursday to lead the rain-affected RBC Canadian Open, with Ian Poulter and Tommy Fleetwood also in the mix.

Garrigus, 40, is seeking a second PGA Tour title after winning the 2010 Children’s Miracle Network Classic in Florida and did his chances no harm at all, recording nine birdies in a bogey-free round to lead by one stroke from fellow US star Adam Schenk.

Chris Stroud sits a further shot back on -7, while Englishman Poulter is among a group of five players to sign for a six-under-par 66 at Oakville.

With the weather deeming it impossible for all players to complete their opening 18 holes, Fleetwood reached -5 with two to play and will resume on Friday morning before trying to close the gap to the leader.

In what is a decent field, world number one Dustin Johnson is lurking on four-under along with Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland although the two Europeans still have first-round holes to finish.

Johnson is fancied to rally and is favourite at 7.00 while in-form Fleetwood can be backed at 10.00 and Poulter at 17.00 but there is still a long way to go.

Ryder Cup points are on offer and so those on the fringes of qualifying or who want to impress their captain will be hoping for a decent finish at Glen Abbey Golf Course.

The biennial event gets under way in Paris on September 30, with Europe priced at 2.05 to regain the trophy and the USA on offer at 1.91 to make it back-to-back wins.