Corey Conners shares the lead, eyes historic win as first Canadian Champion at the RBC Canadian Open

Corey Conners fired a 5-under 67 on Thursday in round 1 of the RBC Canadian Open. He shares the lead with Aaron Rai, Chesson Hadley, and Justin Lower. The bogey-free first round was the first step in the right direction towards a feat that has not been achieved in the last 69 years.

1954 was the last time a Canadian emerged as a winner at the Canadian Open. That year, Pat Fletcher became the fourth local player to win the event.

Conners became the first Canadian to share a first-round lead in 15 years. He has made nine top-25 finishes this season, including a win at the Valero Texas Open, his second win on the PGA Tour. Conners will be looking to consolidate the lead on Friday to end the wait for his countrymen to see a local winner.

Aaron Rai had a poor start with a double bogey and two back-to-back bogeys in the first five holes. The Englishman recovered from his poor beginning with seven birdies in the remaining 13 holes.

Matt Fitzpatrick, who has the US Open to defend next week, started well at Oakdale Country Club after posting a 4-under 68. Fitzpatrick shares fifth place with four other players. The 28-year-old Englishman made just one bogey, and that, too, on the second hole.

Justin Rose sits at T-14 after carding a 3-under 68 on Day 1 at Oakdale Country Club. The former US Open winner made four straight bogeys from 15 to 18 holes.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy managed to finish just under par after making four bogeys and four birdies on Day 1 at Oakdale. He is currently sitting at T37.

Can Corey Conners win the RBC Canadian Open? Odds explored

Although oddsmakers believe Rory McIlroy is the favorite to win the 2023 RBC Canadian Open, Conners isn't too far down the list. As per Bet365, the Canadian is the sixth favorite to lift the trophy this week.

Here are the complete odds for the RBC Canadian Open 2023, as per Bet365.

Rory McIlroy: +525
Tyrrell Hatton: +1300
Sam Burns: +1500
Matt Fitzpatrick: +1500
Cameron Young: +1700
Corey Conners: +1900
Justin Rose: +1900
Shane Lowry: +2100
Tommy Fleetwood: +2700
Sahith Theegala: +3200
Keith Mitchell: +3700
Matt Kuchar: +4500
Adrian Meronk: +5000
Adam Hadwin: +5500
Ludvig Aberg: +6000
Nicolai Hojgaard: +6500
Adam Svensson: +6500
Maverick McNealy: +7000
Nick Taylor: +7500
Alex Smalley: +7500
Michael Kim: +7500
Eric Cole: +7500
Mackenzie Hughes: +7500
Aaron Rai: +7500
Taylor Pendrith: +9000
Michael Thorbjornsen: +10000
Aaron Wise: +10000
Harry Hall: +10000
Lee Hodges: +10000
David Lipsky: +10000
S.H. Kim: +10000
Brendon Todd: +11000
Brandon Wu: +11000
Will Gordon: +11000
Garrick Higgo: +11000
Vincent Norrman: +11000
C.T. Pan: +11000
Ben Martin: +12000
Mark Hubbard: +12000
Akshay Bhatia: +14000
Webb Simpson: +14000
Robby Shelton: +14000
Doug Ghim: +14000
Carson Young: +14000
Dylan Wu: +17500
Nate Lashley: +17500
Cameron Champ: +17500
Patton Kizzire: +17500
Chez Reavie: +17500
Aaron Baddeley: +20000
Scott Piercy: +20000
Lanto Griffin: +22500
Aaron Cockerill: +22500
Chad Ramey: +22500
Kramer Hickok: +22500
Doc Redman: +22500
MJ Daffue: +25000
Tyler Duncan: +25000
Sam Bennett: +25000
Andrew Novak: +25000
Ben Silverman: +25000
Zecheng Dou: +25000
Grayson Murray: +25000
Erik van Rooyen: +30000
Peter Malnati: +30000
Austin Smotherman: +30000
Lucas Glover: +30000
Brandt Snedeker: +30000
Kevin Chappell: +30000
Callum Tarren: +30000
Greyson Sigg: +30000
Ryan Gerard: +30000