OAKVILLE, ONT. -- When it comes to the RBC Canadian Open, Robert Garrigus is a feast or famine kind of guy. He has either played really well or really awful with not much in between.

On Thursday it was another feast as the veteran pro in his 13th season on the PGA Tour, carved out a very strong nine-under 63 to lead the opening 18 at Glen Abbey. It comes on the heels of a strong performance last year where he finished tied for fifth.

“Yeah, Glen Abbey is a lot of fun,” Garrigus said. “I shoot 62 on Saturday last year and then back it up with a little 63 here today. Could have been 59 watch there if a couple putts didn't lip out."

In his last five rounds at Glen Abbey he’s 27-under par. And in 2012, at Hamilton G&CC, Garrigus tied for second. He hasn’t finished that high on the leaderboard at any event since.

“I don't know. It's great. I love this place,” he said. “I've always played well in Canada. There's a lot of good vibes here. And the golf course is absolutely pure.”

Well, actually, not always. Prior to last year, Garrigus was on the other end of the leaderboard, missing the cut in four consecutive starts and breaking 70 just once.

And this time out, it’s not as if there were indications that a round like this was coming. Last week at the Barbasol Championship, Garrigus posted a Sunday 79. But like all golfers, he was positive and sensed a turn-around brewing.

“Even though I shot a million on Sunday between the two days, and after 36 last week in Kentucky, I just felt like there was something coming,” said the Nampa, Idaho product. “And I kept telling my wife, I kept telling my agent, everybody. I'm going to get one down here eventually. And I finally closed one off and made a couple birdies towards the end there. It's just nice to do it and get the mojo.”

Garrigus made nine birdies on his day including five consecutively from the second hole through the sixth. He also birdied all four par 5s, although one came through a fortunate bounce. On the 13th, his second shot dove into 16 Mile Creek, only to hit a rock and bounce onto dry land.

The improved play arrives at a perfect time, too. Garrigus currently sits 131st in the FedEx Cup standings, which is exactly where he was entering this tournament last year. He needs to get inside the top 125 to make it to the playoffs and retain his full playing privileges for next season. His finish here in 2017 allowed him to do just that and he’ll need another feast for the same result.

“I did it last year, I did it the year before, I did it the year before that,” said the veteran bubble boy. “I'm not too worried about it. I knew I was going to come out and not make a mental mistake and just go after it, and I went after it today, and everything worked out, so hopefully the next three days will go well, too.”