Corey Conners’ Resurgent Performance at The Players: A Turning Point?
Corey Conners is making a strong push at the 2026 Players Championship, currently tied for fourth place after a stellar second round. His impressive performance at TPC Sawgrass is fueled by a dramatic turnaround with his putter, transforming a potential early exit into a legitimate contention for the PGA Tour’s flagship event.
Swift Start Sets the Tone
Conners’ second round began with a remarkable run of five birdies in his first six holes, ultimately resulting in a 5-under 67. This placed him at 8 under for the tournament, just four shots behind leader Ludvig Aberg, who fired a stunning 9-under 63. The Canadian credited his early success to a focused approach of maintaining his ball placement and capitalizing on birdie opportunities.
From Struggles to Success on the Greens
The key to Conners’ resurgence lies in his putting performance. Thursday saw him miss seven putts from within 15 feet, losing 1.5 strokes to the field on the greens. Friday was a complete reversal, gaining almost 1.5 strokes with the putter and ranking 29th in strokes gained: putting. He also excelled in approach shots, ranking second in strokes gained in that category on Friday.
“It started off as a full ball-hitting clinic. He never missed a shot for the first seven or eight holes,” his coach Derek Ingram shared via text message.
Momentum and Confidence
Conners, who finished tied for sixth at the Players last season, described his opening 21-foot birdie putt on Friday as a pivotal moment. It was longer than any putt he’d made all season and it ignited a run of confidence. He explained that getting that first putt to drop allowed him to play with “freedom” and convert several other chances.
Statistically, 2025 was Conners’ best year with the putter, but he had been struggling in 2026 until this week. He acknowledged glimpses of good form but hadn’t been able to translate it into results.
The Leaderboard Picture
Conners is currently tied for fourth with Justin Thomas, trailing leader Ludvig Aberg by four strokes. Xander Schauffele sits in second at 10 under, and Cameron Young is in third at 9 under. Conners and Young are paired together for the third round.
Canadian Contingent at The Players
Several other Canadians are also competing at The Players Championship. Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor, and rookie Sudarshan Yellamaraju have made the cut, even as A.J. Ewart and Mackenzie Hughes did not.
FAQ
Q: What was Corey Conners’ score in the second round?
A: He shot a 5-under 67.
Q: Where does Corey Conners stand on the leaderboard?
A: He is tied for fourth place at 8 under.
Q: What was the biggest difference in Conners’ game between Thursday and Friday?
A: His putting performance dramatically improved.
Q: Who is leading The Players Championship after the second round?
A: Ludvig Aberg is leading at 12 under.
Q: Which other Canadians made the cut?
A: Taylor Pendrith, Nick Taylor, and Sudarshan Yellamaraju.
Did you grasp? Ludvig Aberg eagled both the 2nd and 9th holes on Friday, a feat only accomplished twice before at TPC Sawgrass by Craig Parry.
Stay tuned for further updates on The Players Championship as the competition heats up!