THE 154TH OPEN

July 17, 2026

Corey Conners

Mixed Zone

Q. Just a summary of that great performance today.

COREY CONNERS: Corey Conners. Yeah, great last seven holes, I guess. Five birdies, got on a nice little run. Yeah, didn't quite have my best stuff to start the day but was hanging in there and trying to be patient. Fortunately, started hitting some good ones and making some putts.

Q. Can you talk about hole 14 to the 17? Four birdies in a row. Obviously that must have made you think that this is giving me a great chance into the weekend?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, for sure. Played those holes kind of how you're supposed to play them, I guess. Hit some quality shots, just rolled off the green on 14 but was able to putt it up the hill and make a birdie, probably the shot of the day or honorable mention certainly.

15, tricky par-3, hit it just in behind the hole, made that.

Nice putt on 16 after a solid 5-iron/9-iron into the green.

Then had to layup on 17, hit a nice wedge shot to a foot. It was four birdies in a row, which is always nice.

Q. Just a final question from me. In terms of the conditions you faced in the first two rounds, has it been much of a difference between Thursday and Friday? Because it's been a lot hotter than it normally would be around here.

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I feel like the wind was a little bit stronger throughout my round yesterday. Maybe it will pick up a little this afternoon.

The wind kind of changed directions slightly from the start of the round to the finish of the round as well, but the intensity wasn't too bad. It wasn't moving the balls a crazy amount or affecting shots too, too much.

Q. Can you be aggressive in these conditions? If so, what do you do in that regard?

COREY CONNERS: I suppose you can, but you've got to pick your spots certainly. If you're a little bit too aggressive and you just miss a few shots, you can end up in some really tricky spots.

I think seeing some birdies out there today, I think that will continue, but I think you have to be smart and pick your spots to be aggressive.

Q. What do you think you need to do to climb on the leaderboard and be where you've been before?

COREY CONNERS: More of the same stuff today. Just get off to maybe a little bit better start. Didn't get the ball in the fairway early and wasn't able to control my approach shots. Did a better job of that the last handful of holes.

Yeah, it's tricky. You've got to be on from the get-go. Just think there's some birdie opportunities at the beginning of the round, and I've been plus 1 after four holes the last few days.

So a little bit better start, maybe get one or two to start the round and get some momentum.