Cockerill, Taylor the top Canadians heading into weekend in Toronto

TORONTO — Aaron Cockerill knows the RBC Canadian Open is an opportunity. It's more than a chance to play elite golf in front of family and friends, it's an opportunity to show North American golf fans what they've been missing.

Cockerill, from Stony Mountain, Man., shot a 2-under-par 68 on Friday morning to make the cut in his first-ever PGA Tour event. The top-ranked Canadian on the European-based DP World Tour, Cockerill wants to showcase his talent for his home continent.

"One hundred per cent, I'm trying to do that," said Cockerill. "We'll try and improve on that on the weekend.

"I think it goes a little unnoticed, but I've been playing really well this year and I hope to have a good weekend here."

Cockerill was tied for 21st place at 2-under-par 138 after two rounds of the national men's championship at St. George's Golf and Country Club. Nick Taylor (68) of Abbotsford, B.C., was also 2 under at the tournament's midway point.

Cockerill played on the PGA Tour Canada when he turned pro in 2018, but has since been plying his trade in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. This is his best season to date.

He is 42nd on the DP World Tour this season and 312th in the official world golf rankings. He tied for second at the Magical Kenya Open on March 5 and tied for third at the ISPS Handa Championship in Spain on April 23.

Cockerill was hard to miss on the course Friday, with mother Kathy, stepfather Doug, wife Chelsea and about a dozen friends from Manitoba cheering him on with shouts of "AC!" and "Let's goooo!"

If their cheers didn't catch the attention, their clothes did.

Many of Cockerill's friends wore T-shirts with his face emblazoned on it. The shirts were originally made last year for Chelsea's bridesmaids at their