Matt Daniel of Richmond and American Dodge Kemmer shot matching 5-under rounds of 66 on Thursday, tying for the lead at the Canadian Tour Championship.
Daniel, a 10-year veteran of the Canadian Tour, posted seven birdies including three straight on the back nine, while Kemmer made nine birdies and overcame a one-shot penalty which occurred after his ball moved after a practice swing on the sixth hole.
A shot behind Kemmer and Daniel was former PGA TOUR member Tyler Aldridge, who made five birdies and a bogey for a 67.
Defending Champion Stuart Anderson of Sooke, who has split his time between the Web.com Tour and Canadian Tour this season, opened with an even par round of 71.
Victoria's Cory Renfrew opened with a 2-over 73.