Snedeker Up by One Heading into Sunday at Canadian Open; 36-Hole Leader Mahan Heads Home after Wife Goes into Labor


Brandt Snedeker fired a 9-under 63 to take over the top spot on the leaderboard of the Canadian Open. The $5.6 million PGA Tour event began Thursday at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ontario.

The seventh-ranked player in the world carded six birdies on the front nine and three more on the back to reach the 54-hole mark in 14-under 202, a stroke ahead of Sweden's David Lingmerth, who shot a 65, and two ahead of fellow Americans No. 7-ranked Matt Kuchar (64) and Jason Bohn (66).

The third round was delayed for just over an hour and a half due to a heavy rain storm. The players headed to the clubhouse at noon (ET), but returned at 1:38 p.m., thus allow the round to be completed.

Shortly after the horn signaled the players to head back to the course, a stunning development occurred when 36-hole leader Hunter Mahan announced he was withdrawing from the tournament after hearing that his wife, Kandi, was going into labor with their first child.

Mahan had not yet teed off in the third round. "I received exciting news a short time ago that my wife Kandi has gone into labor with our first child," Mahan told PGATour.com. "As a result, I have withdrawn from the RBC Canadian Open to return to Dallas. I would like to extend my very sincere gratitude and appreciation to RBC and the RBC Canadian Open.

"Kandi and I are thrilled about this addition to the Mahan family and we look forward to returning to the RBC Canadian Open in the coming years," added Mahan, who was at 13-under and enjoyed a two-stroke lead over John Merrick entering Saturday.

Snedeker didn't know what was going on. He learned of Mahan's departure when he looked at the leaderboard on the seventh tee and didn't see Mahan's name. "I looked at my caddie, and I go, 'What's going on?' He goes, 'I think Hunter had to leave because Kandi went into labor,' " the Nashville native told PGATour.com.

"That just kind of left the tournament wide open. Hunter was going to be hard to catch because he was playing so good, and the way he drives the golf ball on this golf course he was going to play really well on the weekend. For me to catch him, I knew I was going to have to shoot something really low."

Tied for fifth at 11-under 205 are Americans Dustin Johnson, who matched Snedeker's low round of 63, Kyle Stanley (66) and Charley Hoffman (67), Merrick (72) and England's Greg Owen (67).

Four strokes out of the lead are Americans Mark Wilson (67), Roberto Castro (67), Patrick Reed (70) and James Hahn (69).

Five behind in 14th place are Americans William McGirt (67), Jeff Maggert (68), Bubba Watson (72) and two-time Canadian Open champion Jim Furyk (68), South Africa's Trevor Immelman (66), Argentina's Fabian Gomez (67) and Australia's Alistair Presnell (68).

After opening with a 73 and a 67, native Ontarian Mike Weir slipped down into a tie for 55th following another 73. The 43-year-old is now at 3-under 213. Taking Weir's place as the top Canadian is David Hearn, who carded a 68 and moved up to 5-under 211 and T39.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.