By Steve Keating

ANCASTER, Ontario (Reuters) - Briton Justin Rose and American Jim Furyk carded course record seven-under 63s to share the first round lead at the Canadian Open on Thursday.

Furyk, one of four U.S. Ryder Cup players competing at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club, began his day in style holing out from 120 yards for an eagle on the par four 12th.

The American then followed with five birdies, completing his round by draining a six-footer for birdie on the ninth to better the professional course record of 64 set by Tommy Armour in 1930.

"I grew up in Pennsylvania on courses built in the early 1900's, old, traditional courses," Furyk told reporters. "And this has that feel. I try to play the golf courses that fit that bill and this is definitely that style.

"It's a very good one. I heard coming up here how good the course was, and I think it definitely met expectations."

Riding the momentum from his best result of the season a fourth place finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship, Rose laid the foundation for his 63 with a sizzling front nine that included six birdies and a bogey on the par four second.

Rose followed up with an error-free back nine picking up shots on the 14th and 17th.

"Great start to a tournament, no idea it was a course record," said Rose. "I came in playing well, had a nice week last week and hope to keep the momentum going.

"Seven-under the first day, all it is a good start. You have to keep moving forward."

Sitting one shot back from the leaders on six-under 64 are Americans Brandt Jobe, Frank Lickliter II and Australian Nathan Green.

Mark Calcavecchia got the defence of his Canadian Open crown off to a solid start returning a four-under 66 while Vijay Singh, the 2004 champion, settled for a two-under 68 leaving the Fijian five off the pace.

Singh, who lost a head-to-head final round showdown to Tiger Woods at the Deutsche Bank Championship on Monday, was one-over after his outward nine but recovered with a bogey free back nine with back-to-back birdies on four and five and another at the ninth.

The home crowd had little to cheer as Mike Weir and Stephen Ames launched their bids to become the first Canadian in 52 years to lift the national championship with one-over 71s.

Furyk aside, U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Lehman will not have been impressed with the performances of the other members of his team, particularly Vaughn Taylor who bumbled his way to a nine-over 79.

Taylor's nightmarish round included a triple bogey, double bogey and five bogeys but finished on a positive note with a birdie at the last.

Stewart Cink, one of Lehman's two captain's selections, settled for a one-under 69 while Zach Johnson returned an even par 70.