Final-round fade not too disappointing to Connelly

Austin Connelly, the 20-year-old in his first major, started six shots behind and in the penultimate group at a major championship. He didn’t make a birdie until the 11th hole, closed with a 73 and tied for 14th.

At stake was a spot in the Masters if he had stayed in the top four.

He also could have secured a spot next year in the British Open if he had finished in the top 10.

Connelly wasn’t hanging his head, however. He is off to Germany next week for the Porsche European Open and said he would play the European Tour the rest of the year.

“It was definitely a rough start on the front nine,” he said. “But it was nice to battle back the way I did. The main issue I had out there was just hitting way too many bunkers. I think I plugged it in three bunkers, and you just can’t do that.”