Calcavecchia rips mark with nine birdies in row

OAKVILLE, Ontario – Mark Calcavecchia birdied nine straight holes in the Canadian Open to break the US PGA Tour record on Saturday.

In perfect morning scoring conditions at rain-softened Glen Abbey, Calcavecchia opened the delayed second round with two pars, then reeled off the nine straight birdies. His nine birdie putts were from 15 feet or closer.

With 15-year-old son Eric working as his caddie, Calcavecchia shot a 7-under 65 to finish two rounds at 8 under. He was five strokes behind leader Jason Dufner entering the third round, postponed until Sunday after heavy afternoon rain.

“It’s just as opposite as you can get off last week,” said Calcavecchia, who finished in a 27th-place tie in the British Open last Sunday.

“It’s just fly it right to the stick. ... You give the guys out here no wind and greens that are plugging, you’re going to see a lot of low scores.”

Calcavecchia broke the record set by Bob Goalby in his 1961 St. Petersburg Open victory and matched by Fuzzy Zoeller (1976 Quad Cities Open), Dewey Arnette (1987 Buick Open), Edward Fryatt (2000 Doral-Ryder Open), J.P. Hayes (2002 Bob Hope Classic) and Kelly (2003 Las Vegas Invitational). Hayes played alongside Calcavecchia on Saturday. (AP)