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Canada's David Hearn leads Canadian Open, Bubba Watson and Jason Day tied for 2nd

Jean-Yves Ahern / USA TODAY Sports

OAKVILLE, Ontario - David Hearn moved into position to become the first Canadian to win the Canadian Open in 61 years, taking a two-stroke lead over Bubba Watson and Jason Day on Saturday.

Hearn, from Brantford, birdied the par-3 15th and par-5 16th, but dropped a stroke on the par-4 17th and closed with a par for a 4-under 68 and a 15-under 201 total at Glen Abbey.

Round Highlights

"This is something you dream of. I feel like I'm ready to step up to the challenge," Hearn said. "Hopefully I can make some birdies and David can beat Goliath."

Pat Fletcher, born in England, was the last Canadian winner in 1954 at Point Grey in Vancouver, British Columbia. Carl Keffer is the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Albert Murray, a Canadian also born in England, won in 1908 and 1913.

Watson also had a 68, and Day shot 69. Watson eagled the par-5 13th, made a bogey on the par-4 14th and rallied with birdies on 16 and the par-5 18th.

"I'm right where I want to be. I just wish the leader was a little closer to us," said Watson, who added that he's "half-Canadian" since his wife Angie is from Pickering, Ontario.

Day, coming off a tie for fourth Monday in the British Open, dropped three strokes with a bogey on the par-4 10th and double bogey on the par-4 11th, then birdied six of the last seven holes.

"Obviously, it'd be great to see a Canadian win, but I'm going to do my best to try and spoil that. We're all out here to try and win a golf tournament," Day said.

- With files from theScore.

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