We should expect to see the same from Day 2 at the Ocean Course with similar conditions, though we might have a sustained wind of at least 15 miles per hour from 10 a.m. on. That’s all this faux-links course needs to show its teeth.
(Scroll down for the latest updates)
Here are the latest updates from Friday at the 2021 PGA Championship:
8:22 a.m.: It’s been an eventful morning thus far for Corey Conners. He just made his second bogey, for a Bogey-Birdie-Bogey start. His lead is back to one over a pack of players that includes 50-year-old Phil Mickelson.
8:09 a.m.: Ladies and gentlemen, Phil Mickelson has entered the chat. Phil started his tournament 3-over through the first six holes, but he played sensational coming in—making five birdies to get to 2-under for the day. Lefty has now started his day with a birdie at the par-5 11th hole—his second hole of the day—to get to 3-under.
7:56 a.m.: The flat stick remains hot for Corey Conners, as the Canadian just dropped a 30-footer for birdie at the par-5 11th hole to get back to even on the day and 5-under for the tourney.
Conners had a really difficult chip to the left of the green … but right now, when you’re putting this well, it doesn’t matter what your leave is, apparently. (Conners ranked fourth in strokes gained/putting in Round 1, according to Golf Digest cotributor Rick Gehman and his live SG leader board at RickRunGood.com.)
How about this shot from Matt Fitzpatrick in the same group as Conners? Starting your day with a tap-in eagle (after a bogey) is awfully nice.
Horsfield rights the ship as well with a birdie at the par-5 11th hole. The Englishman gets back to 3-under for the tourney.
7:37 a.m.: Our first-round leader Corey Conners is off, and it’s not the start he had in mind. His tee shot just barely found the rough, but this rough is THICK off the fairways. Conners couldn’t control his approach as it bounded over the green and into the bunker. A missed 15-foot par putt, and the Canadian’s lead has already been reduced to one shot.
7:28 a.m.: Sam Horsfield is a name most casual American golf fans aren’t familiar with. But that could change this week. He’s T-2 after Round 1, and this 24-year-old has the talent to compete in majors. The Englishman has two European Tour wins to his credit, and in his five latest starts has three top-10s and five top-25s. Oh, and he went to the University of Florida, so he’s somewhat familiar with the Southern part of the United States. Maybe … that appeared to be true on Thursday at least. Horsfield has bogeyed the first hole, so he falls back early.