Appleby has been finding some form of late

AUSSIE golfers Stuart Appleby and Gavin Coles sit at 5-under just three strokes behind leader Scott Piercy after the first round of the 2012 Canadian Open.

In rainy conditions, the 33 year old American shot a course record 8-under 62 that included two eagles and five birdies with a lone bogey at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Piercy, who is looking to move inside the FedEx Cup top 15, is coming off a third-place finish two weeks ago in the John Deere Classic. He birdied three of his final five holes.

“The greens were receptive. I wouldn’t say overly soft or hard,” Piercy said.

England’s Greg Owen and American William McGirt shared second place a stroke further back.

Those tied with Appleby and Coles included 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and the winner of this event in 2004 Vijay Singh.

Former champion Nathan Green and his new belly putter were on even while British Open champion Ernie Els was 2-over.