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.
