Canada’s Corey Conners leads by two strokes after shooting a 5-under par 67 in the first round, with Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson two and three shots behind.
Corey Conners took a surprise first round lead at the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, on a day when Phil Mickelson rolled back the years and some of the pre-tournament favorites badly struggled. Conners posted a 5-under 67 that rewarded a calm and controlled performance. The Canadian, who finished tied for eighth at The Masters last month, admitted the Ocean Course was an extremely demanding environment. “You can’t fall asleep out there on any holes,” the 29-year-old told ESPN after his first round. “It’s very challenging. I was fortunate to have a good day. Made it the least stressful on myself as possible.” Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson can all vouch for that statement after they endured a day to forget. McIlroy, the bookmakers’ favorite ahead of the tournament, finished 3-over par and now faces an uphill battle to qualify for the weekend—the cut line is currently projected at 2-over—let alone win his second PGA Championship at Kiawah Island, nine years on from when he triumphed on the Ocean Course.
