Ryan palmer

RBC Canadian Open: Akshay Bhatia opened the RBC Canadian Open with 1-under 69 and also said that he was playing for Grayson Murray, his senior colleague and fellow PGA TOUR player, who took his life last week. Bhatia was lying T-34 and fellow Indian-American Sahith Theegala, who had also spoken about the need to tackle mental health issues, had a rough start with 4-over 74 at Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Two-time RBC Canadian Open winner, Rory McIlroy started the week with a 4-under 66 that placed him tied sixth and four behind the leader, David Skinns, who had six birdies in a seven-hole stretch in his 8-under 62. Bhatia had an early birdie on second and bogeyed ninth and the 13th but then birdied three in a row from 15th to 17th and again dropped a shot to finish at 69.

“I'm playing for him this week, and every round I play for the next however long,” said Bhatia. “He's just with me all the time, and he meant a lot to me. Just happy and proud to wear Grayson's name on my wrist.