OAKVILLE (Ontario) — American Kevin Na birdied his final five holes to grab the clubhouse lead in the first round of the rain-hit Canadian Open on Thursday.

Na provided a blistering finish to a soggy day with birdies on nine of his final 12 holes, the last in fading light, on the way to a bogey-free, nine-under 63.

Due to darkness, a total of 39 players failed to even start their rounds.

The 100th edition of the event got off to miserable start as driving rain chased the golfers from the Glen Abbey layout shortly after the first round began.

When play finally resumed, seven-and-a-half hours later, the birdies came thick and fast. Goosen and Verplank, with six birdies on his last nine, returned error-free 65s while Durant joined the group with the help of a hole-in-one on the par three seventh. — Reuters.

LEADING COMPLETED FIRST ROUND SCORES

-9 Kevin Na (U.S.)

-7 Scott Verplank (U.S.) 65, Retief Goosen (South Africa), Joe Durant (U.S.)

-4 Dean Wilson (U.S.), Harrison Frazar (U.S.), Patrick Sheehan (U.S.), Chris Riley (U.S.), Kevin Sutherland (U.S.), Steve Elkington (Australia), Frank Lickliter II (U.S.)