Rookie Ben James Leads & Koepka’s Emotional Return - June 13th, 2026

On Friday, June 13th, 2026, 30 mph winds at TPC Toronto couldn't stop rookie Ben James from taking the RBC Canadian Open lead, while Brooks Koepka shared the heartbreaking family tragedy behind his PGA Tour return.RBC CANADIAN OPEN / THE ROOKIE & THE CHASERS23-year-old rookie Ben James fired a stunning 63 in 30 mph winds to take the solo lead at 10-under in his pro debut, leaning on veteran caddie Tim Tucker to navigate the North Course."I have no clue," James said regarding weekend pressure. "Making new friends... I just want to see what the final group feels like."Haotong Li (-9) shot a 64 with fill-in caddie Geno Bonnalie and a new mental mantra: "bad thoughts do not come to me leave me alone," while Sam Burns skipped the nightlife to hang with his toddler.BROOKS KOEPKA / A HEAVY HEART & A PGA TOUR RETURNSitting at 8-under, Brooks Koepka opened up about his independent decision to leave LIV Golf and pay a $5 million fine following a devastating 16-week miscarriage and severe depression."I let my wife do her job and I do mine," Koepka said, noting that welcoming PGA Tour peers simply told him, "We are glad you are back."Amidst the heavy emotional toll, Koepka also tweaked his gear, fixing his putting stroke by switching to a putter with more toe hang to stop overthinking on the greens.THE CANADIANS / SURVIVING A RUTHLESS CUTLINEA brutal 2-under cutline claimed big names like Justin Rose and local favorites Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes, while Taylor Pendrith and Matthew Anderson carry the hometown hopes into the weekend at 7-under.Adam Hadwin (-3) survived the cut but admitted to being "mentally fried" and playing scared.Hadwin is grinding through his mental fatigue by relying on a physical swing thought—using a towel drill under his trail arm to keep his mechanics together.Quick HitsDavid Lipsky blew the roof off the hockey-themed 14th hole ("The Rink") with an epic hole-in-one • Tony Finau made the cut on the number but desperately needs a top-three finish to qualify for The Open at Royal Birkdale • Defending champ Ryan Fox (-8) noted the 30 mph tailwinds were actually harder for club selection than hitting directly into the gusts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.