Connelly birdied his last two holes for a 66 on Saturday, leaving him six shots out of the lead and in the penultimate group with U.S. Open champion Brooks Koepka.
The 20-year-old Texan, who plays under the Canadian flag because of dual citizenship, earned one of 15 spots from the 36-hole qualifier on links courses in Britain two weeks ago.
Connelly, who turned pro instead of taking a scholarship to Arkansas, has been toiling on the Challenge Tour in Europe.
The first player out on the course Saturday shot a 65 and his marker — who works in the pro shop at Royal Birkdale — nearly broke par himself.
The next they were feasting on a golf course that looked like it belonged in the January rotation in Palm Springs.
READ MORE (Madison.com)
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