Southhampton, N.Y. — Corey Conners got to finish two rounds on Friday. He also got to have two breakfasts.
When he ended his day on the course, the Listowel, Ont., product was sitting at a very respectable one over par.
Conners was one of 50 players who wasn’t able to finish his first round when play was called at 8:25 p.m. on Thursday evening. He returned early Friday morning at 6:35 a.m. to make five swings. The first was a 10-foot putt for par on the 17th hole and the next four were to finish up with a par on the 18th for a one-under 69.
After a break, and a second breakfast, Conners returned for his second round, which started at 7:45 a.m., on the back nine. Conditions were not as severe as Thursday but there was still enough wind and tough greens to demand good play.
Conners made a birdie on the par-5 16th and moved into second place when he added another on the first hole, his 10th. But four bogeys over a six-hole stretch and two missed birdie opportunities found him signing for a two-over 72.
“I made the turn in a great spot and just gave a few back towards the end,” summed up the 34-year-old. “Just a few tentative putts led to a couple of bogeys.
His putting woes on Friday were as much about the wind as any bad strokes. He missed a 12-footer on the second hole, a four-footer on the fourth and putts from five feet on both six and seven. All led to bogeys. He also missed two birdie putts inside seven feet.
“It’s a little tricky for sure when the wind gusts a little bit. It can put a little bit of doubt in your read, not knowing if the wind is going to affect it or not. The biggest thing is to be free and just try to hit a good putt. There were a few I’d like back out there today.”
The 72 left him at one over for the tournament and, at the time of his finish, in 25th spot.
Conners’ record in the U.S. Open is a case of feast or famine. He missed the cut in his first five starts, including one as an amateur, and then tied for ninth in 2024. He was in the hunt last year when he had to withdraw after the third round when he injured his wrist in a bunker.
Now he will reset and get ready for the next two rounds which are expected to be played in the same tricky winds.
“I’m looking forward to lunch and a little rest this afternoon, getting ready for the weekend,” he stated. “It’s definitely a mental grind out there. You have to be focused the whole time around. I felt like I did a pretty good job of that. It just takes a lot out of you.”
The other Canadian playing on Friday morning was Sudarshan Yellamaraju. He made birdies on the first and 10th holes but stumbled with four bogeys on his card leading to two-over 72. Playing in just his second major championship, he struggled on Friday to hit greens, landing on only half of the 18.
He finished his day at five over for 36 holes and at the time was just outside the cutline. He admitted to having lots of respect for Shinnecock and the setup of the course.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the toughest golf course I’ve ever played,” admitted the 24-year-old of Shinnecock, “but it’s definitely up there.”
Two other Canadians, Ben Silverman and Nick Taylor had afternoon tee times and were working to get inside the cutline.
