RBC Canadian Open leaderboard: Round 2 scores as Brooks Koepka chases PGA Tour rookie

Brooks Koepka is only two strokes adrift of the lead at the halfway stage of the RBC Canadian Open. 

The American, 36, is hunting his first victory since rejoining the PGA Tour from LIV Golf in January. 

Five-time major champion Koepka raced out of the blocks on Thursday with a six-under 64 and added a 68 on Friday to trail his compatriot Ben James by two strokes. 

James, 22, is making his first start as a professional this week having accepted membership via the PGA Tour's university rankings.

England's Tommy Fleetwood is also inside the top 10, while Sam Burns, Haotong Li, Jackson Suber and Jesper Svensson are also in contention. 

"I feel really close," Koepka told reporters when asked how close he is to being back to his best. 

"The ball striking probably hasn't been what I would say it's been all year. Driving it as well, maybe not as great this week. 

"The putting has been great. So I'm happy with it, I'm excited, and hopefully it continues this week."

Koepka started on the back nine at Osprey Valley's north course at TPC Toronto and his round included four birdies, one eagle, one double bogey and two bogeys. 

He hit his tee shot out of bounds on the 13th 

"I would like to have that tee ball back on 13," added Koepka.  

"I just stood there for 10 minutes and tried to hit a low fade and then it turned into a high draw. 

"And it just, you know, when you stand there and start thinking too long, that was kind of the issue. I would love to have that one back. 

"But other than that, I played solid, it was fine. The ball striking hasn't been phenomenal, but it's good."

James, who has Bryson DeChambeau's former caddie carrying his clubs, fired a bogey-free 63.

Asked if he was going to have trouble sleeping on his first 36-hole lead on the PGA Tour, he said: "I got no clue because I've never been in this position, so I'm very excited to find out. One thing I wanted to do I was, like, let's try and get in that last group. 

"I just want to feel what that feels and kind of just see what happens out there in that situation. Being so young, I'm just excited. I have no expectations. I'm going to play the best I can like I did the last two days."

He added: "I wasn't really thinking about really results at all this week. Just worried about getting comfortable, making new friends and having fun, and just seeing where everything kind of falls. Just seeing where my game stacks up. 

"Obviously I have some stuff to work on, just trying to see where everything goes. Because this is just the baseline, it's my first professional debut. Obviously had a great two days, but just trying to get better."

The following players missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open...

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