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Here's Austin Connelly with Jordan Spieth at the 2014 Ryder Cup
The most surprising name on the first page of the leader board this weekend at the Open Championship is Canada's Austin Connelly. The 20-year-old teed off in the second-to-last group on Sunday, sitting just six shots back of Jordan Spieth after a phenomenal round of four-under 66 on Saturday.
He's shown very little nerves at Royal Birkdale, smashing majestic iron shots, rolling in long putts and acting like he's been there before. The thing about that is, he hasn't. It's his first appearance in a major championship.
Somewhere he has been before is the Ryder Cup, as a spectator. At the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles, Connelly got to hang out with the man he is currently trying to chase down.
This wouldn't be the last time the two players met. They now share a swing coach in Cameron McCormick, and played a practice round together earlier in the week. It would take a miracle, but they could meet again by the end of 72 holes on Sunday at Royal Birkdale.