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Min Woo Lee, Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners have already shared a couple of experiences together. All received phone calls from International Presidents Cup captain Mike Weir to let them know they would be a part of the proceedings at Royal Montreal at the end of the month. They shared a scouting trip to the host site with the rest of the international squad, and now they share a position on the leaderboard in the first tournament of the FedEx Cup Fall.

After sharing first- and second-round tee times this week at the 2024 Procore Championship, the trio of international players now all find themselves on the first page of the leaderboard heading into the weekend in Napa at 7 under. While Conners' place in the signature events in 2025 is secured, both Lee and Hughes hopes to make inroads and qualify for the first two via The Next 10 — Nos. 51-60 in the FedEx Cup.

"We had a good time out there," Hughes said. "I think it was funny. On the first hole, Corey went to two feet and I said 'Hey, if you're my partner, that's kind of the length of putt I like, so just make sure you hit it close like that for me.' And on No. 4 I holed it and he goes, 'Just so you know, this is the kind of putt I like right here, so keep that in mind.' So, it definitely came out and we had some fun out there. Corey played great today, so it was kind of nice to buoy off of his energy out there."

Conners was the star of the group on Friday as he jumped from outside the cutline and into contention with an 8-under 64. Leading the field in strokes gained tee to green, the Canadian connected on 16 of 18 greens in regulation and gained two strokes on the greens — a welcomed sight for international fans.

Hughes did his best to keep up with a 67 of his own and a round of quality ball striking. Known as a player who can scrap it around and not necessarily a player labeled as a premiere iron player, Hughes found his stride with his approach play in Round 2 as highlighted by a hole-out eagle on the par-4 4th.

While Hughes and Conners go way back with each other, their acquaintance with Lee is fresher, but still one they are happy to make. With all the tools at his disposal and the most naturally gifted of the bunch, the young Australian has tallied 11 birdies through his first two rounds.

Lee has all the makings of being this year's Tom Kim in the President Cup as he makes his debut for the international side; he has the firepower and — maybe just as important — the charisma to take over the competition. While his driver typically wows, he has gotten by with his stellar short game through two rounds at Silverado Resort.

"I actually knew him way back in junior golf, he was a young phenom, I played some events over in Australia," Conners said. "I was paired with him a decent amount this season, played with him at the Olympics. He's so talented, he swings the club great, hits it really solid and really, really far. He pounded a lot of drives past Mack and I the last two days. He can get really hot. Played with him where he gets really hot with his putter and rolls it in from everywhere as well. He's got a really impressive game, and [I'm] happy that he's on the International Team alongside me in a couple weeks." 

Before the three get to Canada to duke it out with the Americans, they first must duke it out amongst each other. A win during the FedEx Cup Fall means just as much as a win during the PGA Tour regular season. Major championship exemptions, playing status -- the whole lot remains up for grabs. So, while the three may fly under the same flag in two weeks' time, they will be vying for themselves over the next 36 holes.

"Definitely happy with the round today but want to keep my foot on the gas for the weekend, try to get myself in contention and have a chance to win," Conners said. "Feel decent about my game and nice to have a good day like today to build some confidence."