SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Sudarshan Yellamaraju just keeps giving himself opportunities to compete on a big stage. The Canadian PGA Tour rookie has earned his way into four Signature Events so far this season and, with his solid body-of-work through 2026, he’ll tee it up this week at his second major championship in a row.
But, the 24-year-old said, he’s still trying his best to figure things out as he goes.
“Naturally just with playing more tournaments, playing a lot of tough courses and all that just kind of helps — and like (Shinnecock Hills) is a one-of-a-kind course. You just kind of go out there and I’m just going to play the best golf I can like I always do and see where that gets me at the end of the week,” Yellamaraju told Sportsnet on Wednesday.
Yellamaraju missed the cut at his major debut last month, the PGA Championship, but he comes into the week at the U.S. Open after finishing tied for eighth at the RBC Canadian Open. He won the Rivermead Cup as the low Canadian for the first time and in the process notched his third top-10 finish of the season (and seventh top-20). Yellamaraju now, about two-thirds of the way through his rookie campaign, is also the top Canadian on the FedExCup standings.
He’s learned a ton. He’s done a ton. But he’s also out here just living the dream.
“I just kind of focus on what I’m doing and there are some times that I kind of reflect and you do realize that I’m out here,” Yellamaraju said, “but I know I still have a job to do and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
Yellamaraju is one of four Canadians who are teeing it up this week at Shinnecock Hills alongside Nick Taylor, Corey Conners, and Ben Silverman. Silverman earned his spot after finishing as the medalist at a qualifier last week — at his home club in Florida — and is playing his first major since 2022.
Conners, meanwhile, had an abrupt end to his U.S. Open in 2025. He was cruising and looking like a lock for a top-10 finish before injuring his wrist in the third round. He had started his day 3 under through five holes after hitting three approach shots inside of five feet but he ended up withdrawing prior to the final round after receiving treatment on the course. Conners went through an abbreviated warm up prior to the final round but couldn’t proceed.
This year, Conners said last week at the RBC Canadian Open, has been inconsistent as compared to years’ past (he is, for example, 114th in strokes gained: total this year, a stat he finished 29th in 2025). He has zero top-10s and hasn’t had a top-20 since March. But Conners’ game is, usually, built for the kind of challenge that the U.S. Open puts forth.
“If I can hit it the way I know I can, I think it’s going to be a big asset this week and keep me in good spots and keep it as simple as possible around this golf course. I feel like things are close,” Conners said.
Tee-to-green, Conners has, for the last number of years, been as consistent as anyone on the planet. He’ll have to lean on that this week — and hope his usual game arrives at Shinnecock Hills. The course has hosted the U.S. Open four times in the last century with more than 500 golfers having teed it up here. Only three of them have finished under par.
“You’re really going to have to do everything well,” Conners said. “It’s as tricky as I’ve seen any golf course. So, you (have to do) everything well, but particularly be in control of your irons approaching the green and then have some creativity around the green when you get out of position or even if you hit good shots and are in challenging situations.”
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While Conners missed the cut at last week’s Canadian Open, Taylor comes into this week with some momentum from TPC Toronto as he fired his best round of the week on Sunday, coming into the house with a 6-under 64 (tied for the low round of the day by any player).
Taylor also, for about 63 holes, was in the mix at last month’s PGA Championship. He was firmly within shouting distance of the lead as he made the turn in the final round but lost it, at an unfortunate time, with the driver. One thing led to another and he shot a 5-over 40 coming in to drop down the board into a tie for 26th.
“As time went on, I took away that I wasn’t perfect those first 63 holes and had a chance to win,” Taylor said. “Wheels came off a little bit but taking away confidence that I’m able to compete in that scenario and hopefully learn from that.
“I feel like I’ve been gaining experience, playing better at majors, and it’s a nice thing to have in my back pocket while I’m coming into this week.”
Taylor notched his career-best major finish at last year’s U.S. Open, a tie for 23rd. And with some gnarly conditions set for Thursday’s opener — the wind will be a major factor, so much so the green speeds will be adjusted almost two points lower than what was desired by the USGA — he said he’ll be able to lean on that experience.
“It’s just going to be a ‘war of attrition.’ You just have to be patient. You have to know that good shots are going to not end up in good sports. It’s going to be difficult. You’ve just got to be as patient as possible, accepting good and bad breaks,” Taylor said. “But that’s definitely the battle with major championships. It’s just tough and you have to be able to handle that.”
The four Canadians at this year’s U.S. Open are ready for the challenge.
Ben Silverman – 7:08 a.m.* / 1:03 p.m.
Nick Taylor – 8:03 a.m. / 1:58 p.m.*
Sudarshan Yellamaraju – 12:30 p.m. / 6:35 a.m.*
Corey Conners – 1:25 p.m. / 7:30 a.m.*