Champ takes 2-shot lead, Canada's Taylor and Lee tied for 3rd heading into weekend at Canadian Open

Cameron Champ wasn't even supposed to be here today.

Champ shot a 4-under 66 to climb atop the leaderboard on Friday at 12-under overall at the RBC Canadian Open for a two-stroke lead over fellow American Andrew Putnam. A week ago, Champ was the eighth alternate for the only PGA Tour event in Canada, but enough golfers withdrew from the tournament that he made the field.

"I definitely didn't think I was getting in, especially as eighth," Champ told media after leaving the scorers' room at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. "I know the deadline, some guys will withdraw over the weekend but as eighth, I was like, 'yeah, probably not getting in.'

"Luckily, I actually brought my passport. I don't know why I brought it. I was like 'I'm just going to bring it in case' for whatever reason, not even thinking about the tournament. So it all worked out nicely."

It's been five years since Champ last won on the PGA Tour and he's been bouncing back and forth between the top-flight circuit and the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour this season.

"It's been a grind. It's been a mental battle, that's for sure, going back and forth and having limited starts," said Champ, who has played in five PGA Tour events this year and eight on the Korn Ferry Tour. "For me now, it's just more so embracing it.

"Embracing the situation I'm in and just try to take advantage of every opportunity I can."

Putnam shot an 8-under 62, the best round of the day, to take sole possession of second at 10-under overall.

Vancouver's Richard T. Lee (64), Nick Taylor (65) of Abbotsford, B.C., Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen (70) and Italy's Victor Perez (65) were tied for third at 9 under.

WATCH l Canadians Taylor, Lee tied for 3rd midway through Canadian Open:

Canadians Nick