Conor Stone hasn’t been able to swing a golf club for the past two weeks.
In the first year of this championship, the 28-year old Irishman won the male arm impairment 2022 U.S. Adaptive Open category. However, he planned to withdraw from the championship in 2018. Stone was fortunate to have his hotel and flight booked.
Stone’s physiotherapist Jerry McDonough began working on his back, and he made the trip up to Pinehurst No. He shot a 5-under-par 67, which led not only his category but also the men’s leaderboard at the end of the first round.
“Yeah. To be honest, I thought it was pretty easy. “I don’t even know how it happened,” Stone laughed about his first round. “But I’m happy to be able hit a good golf ball again.” It’s great to be able to hit these scores again. I have always been able, but it’s been a while since I did it.
Stone was born in Dublin and began golfing at the age of 13. Four years later, he became a scratch golfer. Stone, who was studying at Maynooth University with the Paddy Harrington scholarship in Ireland, was diagnosed with Kyphoscoliosis. Stone, who had been playing a sport he enjoyed for more than a decade, was no longer able to play because of the severe pain and curve in his spine. Stone had a 15-hour spine surgery performed before his 22nd year to correct the curve. However, he still had little flexibility and was unable to rotate. After two years of rehabilitation, Stone is on the plus side of scratch and has a handicap of +1.
The Irishman started off with an eagle at the first hole. He added five birdies to his score and only two bogeys, giving him a one shot lead over Simon Lee, who is the defending overall men’s champion. Kipp Popert in third place was three shots behind.
“I was a little nervous because I felt the juices flowing after I made that eagle putt on the first. I was a bit nervous moving forward.” Stone described his round as “fine” after settling down three or four hole in. If I’d made a birdie or two-footer, I would have probably felt better. “But yeah, I’m very happy with the birdie, and it started the round.”
Stone had a slow start to the year last year. He attributed the low round of the Monday to his course knowledge and to the humidity of July in the Sandhills region of North Carolina.
Day 1: Going Low!
Conor Stone (-5), of Ireland, is the #USAdaptiveOpen leader. pic.twitter.com/IkenUEzh5f
USGA (@USGA July 10, 2020
“I wasn’t used to the heat and humidity here.” Stone said, “I was more confident this time.” “I didn’t feel confident with my golf, but I was more comfortable on the course,” said Stone.
Stone is in the category of arm impairment, but his spine has 60 pieces holding it together.
He said, “I have my good and bad days. To be honest, I thought that my time was over.” “I thought that my back was giving out because I had lost 15 miles per hour in club head speed over the last six or seven months. I’ve lost up to 30 yards on my irons. It was scary. “I’ve been concerned about my body.”
The ball is fine now that I am hitting it shorter. The ball was straight. “I was still hitting greens,” said he. “I may be hitting two more clubs than I did last season, but it’s okay. But I must stretch and try not to do too many things. “I have to stay loose, move around, and try not to do too much.”
Stone felt his back give out after Saturday’s practice session. Stone, who is “not a very holy person,” said he prayed Saturday night to be able to swing a golf club on Sunday morning.
Dublin-born Michael McGuirk let him work from his laptop on the road. He praised Michael McGuirk for allowing the Dublin native to bring his laptop. After his round, he had to log in a few more hours.
Stone said, “I am very fortunate to have people helping me with this.” It’s been a good experience.”
Stone could bring home a trophy after two more solid days on the course.
