Conners finishes top Canadian at U.S. Open, career-best for Pendrith

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PINEHURST, N.C. — It was a good week’s work for Corey Conners at the U.S. Open.

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The Listowel, Ont., native finished tied for ninth, won a half-million dollars, and earned a ticket to Paris.

“My game was good, I did a lot of things really well,” he said after his round. “I would have liked to see a few more putts drop, but I feel positively about all aspects of my game.”

Conners finished the week at Pinehurst No. 2 exactly where he started it at level-par, something that 145 players in the 156-man field couldn’t say after four rounds at the terrifying Donald Ross-designed golf course.

Conners shot a even-par 70 on Sunday with four birdies and four bogeys.

“A day like today it was pretty easy to get moving backwards,” Conners said. “I did a good job staying in the moment and staying focused on trying to stay in the tournament.”

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The ticket to Paris comes as a bonus after Conners jumped past fellow Canadian Adam Hadwin in Olympic golf qualifying to earn a spot with Nick Taylor representing his country later this summer.

Taylor Pendrith shot a two-over-par 72 on Sunday to finish tied for 16th at three-over.

The big hitter from Richmond Hill made four birdies on the day, including at the par-4 13th where he drove his tee shot over the green but got up-and-down for birdie.

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“It was a really solid week, I hit some great shots under pressure — some shots I’ve been uncomfortable with in the past — and it feels good.”

It was Pendrith’s best finish in six career major championships. His previous best was a T23 at his first major, the 2020 U.S Open, also won by Bryson DeChambeau.

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“It’s a huge confidence boost for me going forward just knowing that these are some of the hardest greens to hit, and I hit some beautiful iron shots this week right where I was looking, exactly how I was picturing them. We worked hard this week and it’s nice to see it pay off.”

The 33-year-old has battled injuries over his career, but finally pain-free he found the winner’s circle for the first time on the PGA Tour last month in Texas at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

“I definitely knew in my mind that my game is good enough, and that I should be playing in major championships. It’s nice to play against the best in the world and see how you stack up.”

Adam Svensson also made the cut, shooting a five-over 75 on Sunday to finish at 12 over. The B.C. native gained strokes against the field in every major category except putting, where he was among the worst in the field.

Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin, Mackenzie Hughes and amateur Ashton McCulloch all missed the cut.

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