Conners takes it to new level at Masters

There are more pimento cheese sandwiches in Corey Conners' future.

The Canadian golfer punched his ticket to the 2021 Masters, set for April, after shooting a 3-under 69 on Sunday to finish tied for 10th at 9-under.

The top 12 finishers at Augusta National earned themselves a return trip.

“It was a battle out there,” Conners said of Sunday's round. “The wind was blowing quite a bit more today. It was playing quite difficult, so I'm really happy with the back nine and my performance all throughout the day.”

Conners shot even par on the front nine Sunday, before getting hot with birdies at the par-4 11th and the famous par-5 13th. After a bogey at the 14th, he finished strong with birdies at hole Nos. 16 and 17 for a 3-under back nine total of 33.

It was Conners' third Masters start of his career and his best finish.

“I think I learn more about the golf course, learn more about myself,” said Conners, of Listowel, Ont. “Kind of ran out of gas at the end yesterday, but for the most part, feel great about my game. Driving it awesome, hitting my irons really well and putting and chipping quite well also.”

Conners was one of four Canadians in the field along with 2003 champion Mike Weir, Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin. The four played a practice round together on Tuesday.

“I forever look up to Mike Weir,” Conners said.

“He was my idol growing up and someone I wanted to be like. To get to share a round together at a place like this is pretty special, and definitely some unforgettable experiences I've had with him out here.”

Conners' second round 7-under 65 earned him a crystal trophy for low round of the day. It also set the record for lowest round by a Canadian at the Masters, breaking the old record of 68 set by several players, including Weir four times.

So far, Conners will be joined at Augusta National in April by Weir and Mackenzie Hughes, who earned a spot in the 2021 Masters by making it to the Tour Championship of the PGA Tour playoffs.

Conners expects that there could be other Canucks making the trip.

“There's a lot of us trending in the right direction,” he said. “So we'll see what happens.”