Hunter Mahan holds a two-stroke lead at the halfway mark of the Canadian Open after shooting an eight-under 64 on Friday. The American had eight birdies in what was a flawless round at the Glen Abbey Golf Club with the 31-year-old moving up four places to sit at the summit of the leaderboard at 13 under. Compatriot John Merrick finished the day two strokes off the pace after carding a stunning 10-under 62 which included an eagle on the par-five third to go with his eight birdies. Former US Masters champion Bubba Watson is a further two shots back after a five-under 67 left him at nine under for the tournament. Australian Aaron Baddeley is tied for fourth with Patrick Reed after both managed two-under rounds of 68 to go into moving day five strokes away from Mahan. American trio Tommy Gainey, Chris Kirk and Jason Hahn are a further shot behind while Jason Bohn leads a group of seven players tied in ninth place on six-under for the event. Defending champion Scott Piercy continued his slow start to the tournament to sit at two under after replicating his opening round of 71. Of the rest of the Australian contingent, Alistair Presnell shot a 67 to leave him tied for 16th at five under while Scott Gardiner is a shot behind and in a tie for 26th. Robert Allenby (69) joined Greg Chalmers (68) and Cameron Percy (70) in a share of 42nd with Stuart Appleby (73) the lowest-placed Australian still in the tournament tied at 56th after Geoff Ogilvy (74), John Senden (73), Rod Pampling (73) and Nathan Green (73) all failed to make the cut.
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