Shane Lowry completed the first round of the Canadian Open with a one-under par 69, positioning him four strokes behind the leader, Ben James. James, a recent graduate of the PGA University program, set the pace in a challenging day marked by windy conditions in Toronto. Lowry’s round included a mix of birdies and bogies as players battled the difficult weather. The tournament marks James’ debut as a professional golfer, and he capitalized on the conditions to establish an early lead. Several other notable golfers also struggled with the wind, impacting overall scoring. The competition is expected to intensify as players adjust to the course and weather conditions over the remaining rounds. Lowry will need a strong performance in the coming days to close the gap and contend for the title.