Canadian golfers Mackenzie Hughes and Taylor Pendrith will be serious title contenders at the Cadence Bank Houston Open in Texas if they continue Thursday’s winning streak.

The Maple Leaf representatives both gave a card of 66 (-4) to start the contest, leaving them just one shot behind the leaders. Americans David Lipsky, Wyndham Clark, Max McGreevy and Keith Mitchell also shared fifth place.

Hughes and Pendrith had nearly identical days, catching five birdies and committing just one bogey. The latter was particularly effective early in the course, pulling off four par shots in the front nine.

Swede Alex Noren and Americans Aaron Wise, Tony Finau and Tyson Alexander showed the best form in the first round. They took the lead at 65 (-5).

However, for Alexander this is not a final result. The Floridian failed to finish the course, as did 12 other golfers who watched the darkness end their work day.

Aside from Hughes and Pendrith, four other Canadian athletes hit the greens of Memorial Park Golf Course on Thursday. Michael Gligic (-1) and Adam Hadwin (N) presented themselves in good form for the weekend races. It was more difficult for Nick Taylor (+2) and Adam Svensson (+3).

Meanwhile, many eyes were on young amateur golfer Travis Vick, who grew up in Houston. Whoever qualified for the last United States Open gave an excellent card of 68 (-2) in front of his family and friends on Thursday.

Departure Friday for women

On the LPGA side, Tropical Storm Nicole forced organizers of the Pelican Championship, to be held in Belleair, Fla., to reduce the tournament to 54 holes by canceling Thursday’s round.

Remember the storm hit the Florida coast Thursday morning. As a precaution, the competition will start on Friday morning.

Quebecois Maude-Aimée LeBlanc and fellow Canadians Brooke M. Henderson, Alena Sharp and Maddie Szeryk will attend the event.