All four Canadians make the cut at U.S. Open: 'Everyone is getting beat up'

Article content

OAKMONT, Pa. — All four Canadians will see the weekend at the U.S. Open after a gruelling two days at Oakmont.

Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith are leading the way among Canucks at four-over par, seven back of leader Sam Burns.

There weren’t many pars on Pendrith’s scorecard as the big-hitter from Richmond Hill, Ont. made five birdies and seven bogeys in high-event round of 72 at Oakmont.

“It was nice to make some putts today. I made one birdie yesterday and it was with a wedge so I did not putt any birdies in yesterday,” he said. “It is scoreable if you put the ball in the fairway, but if you miss the fairway you are in full scramble mode.”

Pendrith’s five-foot par putt on the 18th hole did a full horseshoe of the hole before being rejected and sending him into a tie with 2023 RBC Canadian Open champ Taylor at four over.

“I hit a nice putt and got a full 360 lip-out,” Pendrith said. “It can happen here.”

Five-time PGA Tour winner Taylor had the best Canadian round of the day on Friday, a one-over 71.

Mackenzie Hughes shot a 72 to finish 36 holes at five over. The Dundas, Ont., native is still recovering from a stomach bug he suffered through at last week’s Canadian Open, but has the claim to fame of making it through two days at Oakmont without making anything worse than bogey.

“On a course like this bogeys are easier to accept, it’s when you compound them with a three-putt or maybe you wedge out and then miss the green,” he said. “You have to be disciplined after that first mistake, and you have to concede, if you will, and then limit the damage on the next one.”

“Everyone is getting beat up, everyone is having a hard time. You make a bogey and have a little stretch where it’s not going great, well, everyone is having one of those. I think it’s nice in that sense.”

Corey Conners shot 74 and will begin Saturday at six over.