Corey Conners Leads Stacked PGA Championship

Corey Conners Leads Stacked PGA Championship

Corey Conners First Round PGA
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Corey Conners carried on his great form as a first round 67 secured a two shot lead at the PGA Championship.

Corey Conners Leads Stacked PGA Championship

Conners has been one of the most consistent performers on the PGA Tour this year, with seven top-10 finishes in 20 starts.

The Canadian, who's best finish in a Major came at this years Masters, sits two shots ahead of a stacked group that includes Viktor Hovland, Keegan Bradley and Brooks Koepka.

Corey Conners First Round PGA

Conners finished T8 at the Masters in April. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Starting with three birdies at the second, fifth and seventh, Conners moved into a share of the lead.

Despite a bogey at the ninth, the 29-year-old would produce a birdie at the 11th and then back-to-back birdies at the 15th and 16th to move into a two shot lead.

Although he left his birdie putt short at the 18th, Conners signed for a classy 67 and a two-shot lead at the PGA Championship.

Speaking after his round, the Canadian said: "I'd say it's impossible to be stress-free around this golf course. You can't fall asleep out there on any holes. It's very challenging.

"I hit a lot of really good shots and holed some nice putts early in the round, and that really helped boost the confidence. I played with a lot of freedom.

"I have a lot of belief in myself and I've been playing well for quite a while. I'm excited for opportunity to play against the best players in the world and put my game to the test. I have a lot of confidence in my game and I'm excited for the rest of the weekend."

One of Conners' nearest challengers is four-time Major champion Brooks Koepka, who, despite making a double bogey at the very first hole, managed to get to three-under-par for his round.

The American, who has suffered with serious knee injuries for the last 18 months, recovered well from his poor start, with birdies at the 11th and 13th (his second and fourth hole) getting him back to level-par.

Corey Conners First Round PGA

Koepka is in search of his fifth Major title. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Starting his back nine, the four time Major champion produced three birdies in a four hole stretch to fire a three-under-par 69, his sixth consecutive opening round at the PGA Championship in the 60's.

Former PGA Champion, Keegan Bradley, constructed a three-under-par round of 69 to sit in a tie for second.

The 2011 champion managed four birdies and just one birdie as he searches for his first victory since the 2018 BMW Championship.

Related: PGA Championship Leaderboard 2021; Who Is Leading At Kiawah Island

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x