Conners feeling ‘grind’ after Masters experience
canadian golfer fades in final two days But values lessons learned, says scott michaux.
AUGUSTA, GA. • Corey Conners will leave Augusta National with a lifetime of memories, a pair of crystal glasses and two fewer golf balls deposited into rae’s Creek.
With stronger winds in advance of a storm that prompted the Masters to end five hours earlier than normal, Conners got the full taste of the golf course and the par-3 12th called Golden Bell.
His final-round 76 included a triple bogey on Augusta’s shortest hole and left him tied for 46th.
“It was definitely a lot more challenging,” Conners said after breaking par in each of the first three rounds before finishing the week at even-par 288. “The nice thing is the wind was the same direction as the last few days, it was just up a bit more. It was very difficult, especially 11 and 12 into the wind. I put a few balls into the creek on 12, which wasn’t that exciting, but I’m not the only one and it’ll happen again.”
Conners tried to go after the traditional far-right Sunday flag position that has dashed plenty of dreams at Amen Corner, including one of his final-round playing partners in Jordan Spieth in 2016. Conners’ tee shot and his third shot hit the bank and rolled back into rae’s Creek.
His fifth shot went past the hole and he drained his 12-footer for triple bogey.
“My eyes got a little excited trying to go for that back-right pin and didn’t have enough club and didn’t hit a solid shot,” he said.
He admittedly was running on fumes after two weeks his wife Malory called a “crazy whirlwind.”
“Starting to feel it a little bit out there,” Conners said of the fatigue. “It’s been quite a grind the last few weeks and I was running on adrenalin the first few days this week. Getting a little worn out now.”
despite the ending, Conners leaves Augusta all smiles.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “I had an awesome time. It was so much fun to be out here. Incredible place.”
Among the many highlights since he got into the field by winning last week’s valero Texas Open was getting a taste of being a celebrity and winning his first pair of crystal glasses for his eagle on the 15th hole in Thursday’s first round.
“The whole week’s a highlight,” he said. “So much support and getting cheered on by the patrons every day. Never really felt support like that before and it’s pretty awesome. It’s hard not to smile out there and have fun.”
He also learned something about himself and his game both on the PGA Tour and in a major championship.
“I think I’ve learned that it’s good enough to contend,” he said. “I was just a little bit off, but I’ve got the shots required to play well anywhere, particularly here, which is probably the trickiest golf course in the world. Gained a lot of confidence with my short game.”
Now Conners heads out into a new professional world with a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour, allowing him to set his own schedule without worrying about any more Monday qualifiers like in Texas.
He’ll keep playing the next two weeks, first at the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C., and partnering with fellow Canadian Mackenzie Hughes at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
“I think the biggest thing is not to sit back and think I’m good for the next two years. I want to keep contending and keep playing well, so I’m going to work really hard on my game and try to give myself a lot more chances.”