Connor Syme proudly heads home from Winged Foot a little battered and bruised but already eagerly looking forward to many more U.S. Open appearances in his career.
Syme was headed south to New York City and a return flight to the UK after posting a pair of five-over par 75s for a 10-over par total and falling shy by some three shots in playing all four rounds in a maiden US major.
The 25-year Drumoig golfer ended Thursday’s opener at five-over par with still a hole to play when USGA officials called a halt to play at 6.58pm local time.
Syme then completed the 18th around 8-15am (Local time Friday) in posting his 11th straight par to finish on five-under and following a short break it was straight into his second round.
Connor Syme will learn from his maiden US Open showing
The Scot then extended that statistic to 15 pars in a row in a round also without a birdie in posting five bogeys or a second score of 75.
Syme said: “My two rounds were as tough as I expected. I just didn’t drive it anywhere near well enough on Thursday, and then today I actually played well but I actually putted really, really poorly for two days.
“I think I made one putt outside five feet really. That was it, one time. So that was my weakness for sure. On a couple of days where you’re going to be out of position a few times, you’re going to have to make some putts, and I actually just didn’t hole anything.
“I’ll head home and work on that. Really that’s my takeaway from the last two days. The greens are really more challenging than probably what we play back home, so something to learn from definitely.
“That’s all I’m trying to do all the time; if I’ve not played well, it’s something to learn and try and get better for next time”,
Twenty-one players were under par on day one and when Syme left the course that number was done to just seven in total under par.
Syme said: “It definitely played tougher out there today.
“I actually played a lot better today. I drove it nice, again but just couldn’t buy a putt. That was kind of the story of the two days.
“I can’t imagine there will be too many low scores. I think there’s going to be a 3-under round, which is absolutely great, a great score. So no, tough couple of days, but such a great learning experience for sure and looking forward already to many more US major championships.”
Syme will head to Northern Ireland early next week for the start of three big weeks on the European Tour – the Irish Open, Aberdeen Standard Investment Scottish Open and the October 8th starting BMW PGA at Wentworth.
He said: “There’s a few big events certainly in Europe so looking forward also to them as they kind of lead into the end of the season.
“So, it’s a good stretch and I’ll just knuckle down and try and do my best.”
Fellow Scots Robert MacIntyre and amateur Sandy Scott were out in the afternoon half of the draw.
