Conners gunning for Masters green jacket in shadow of giants

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Augusta, Ga. – If it is possible to quietly win a green coat, Corey Conners will be the one to do it.

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The modest Canadian spent his entire career and had his golf club speak, so it makes sense that the 33-year-old had the chance to win the Masters in the shadow of two golf giants on Sunday.

Conners shot his second second 70 for the second straight shot, entering Sunday’s final round in third with eight shots.

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“I’m confident in the game,” he said. “What other people do is beyond my control, but tomorrow I’m going to have to play a really good golf ball.

Conners will compete in heavyweight battles with Patrick Reed (-6), leaders Rory McIlroy (-12) and Bryson DeChambeau (-10) on Sunday at Augusta National.

Conners paired with McIlroy on Saturday to take the front seat at the greatest start in Masters history as McIlroy scored six 3 times in a row on his scorecard to lead the tournament through five holes and a vault.

“It’s a really amazing start, Rory’s start today,” Connors said. “He could play some shots, he used some five-shot five today. His length is impressive. … It’s definitely hard for him to try to hunt.”

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This is a task Canadians will be happy to take on, as he hopes to be the second Canadian to win the Masters and the second Canadian to win a big championship. After missing two shots, 2003 champion Mike Weir competed in Conners after Saturday after the start of the round.

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Like Connors, he had a feeling that he had enough words to say after his tour.

“To be fair, I did hit a few shots,” the Canadian said.

“I did a great job in this and hoped to have some emotions with Rory. He is a popular player. But he did a great job in his heart.”

Conners’ caddie Danny Sahl said the atmosphere was great, joked that they weren’t sure if fans were chanting “Rory” or “Corey” all day.

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And, to be fair, Canadian golf fans are very good even these days.

“Of course, a lot of people cheered me on, too,” Connors said. “It felt great in this atmosphere. It was a fun, great place, and it was a fun day.”

The question surrounding Conners has been whether his putting and short matches can bear a lot of pressure and repay the opportunity his impeccable TEE-green game has given him. The mission this week is largely a mission, as Connors only had three shots to three rounds, although some tentative strokes spread to his game later in his game.

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On Saturday’s last hole, the eight-foot par shooter downhill gave him confidence to leave the court.

“Yes, 18 putts are good,” he said.

Listowel, Ant. Locals have been using the new center axis ping prototype push rod for over a month and the results are great. In four games since the transition, Conners’ stroke has promoted 13th, 21st, 36th and 49th places. He never finished the top 100 in the vote.

Every Canadian professional’s dream joins Weir at a day’s Masters Championship dinner, after Saturday’s game, a dream Connors may one day be realized.

“What will we see tomorrow,” he said.

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