THE 149TH OPEN

July 16, 2021

Corey Conners

Mixed Zone

Q. Corey, thanks so much for joining us. Lovely 68 here at round two of The Open. Can you talk to us about your round a little bit?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, solid round. Happy with the score overall. Bit of a slow start, but really two-putted the ball well.

Had some really long putts and I was able to get it down for pars early in the round kind of on the first nine. Sort of the settled in a little bit better, reset myself, tried to be a little bit more aggressive on the last six holes.

Hit a pretty good shot on 13, eagle on 14, and that was a real highlight. Boosted me up a little bit. Gave myself some chances coming in, so overall pretty solid round.

Q. Can you talk us through that eagle on 14, what clubs you hit and how that all went down?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah. Good morning, John. Yeah, 14th hole, 3-wood off the tee down the left side of the fairway. I had 247 to the front, 260 to the hole, a little bit of helping wind off the right.

It was a perfect hybrid distance for me. It was going to land just short of the green and hop up. Hit a really solid shot. Landed a few yards short of the green, rolled up to about nine feet kind of pin high left of it, and had a pretty straight putt inside left and just started breaking at the end and fell in.

So that was nice.

Q. One follow up. And yes, I haven't had my coffee yet if that's what you're saying. When you're playing out there with somebody who has got it going so well, is it hard to stay patient? Do you start to press at any point? How that was today?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, was a little disappointed with some of the iron shots I was hitting. Collin played amazing golf. Really hitting it really well, so kind of disappointed with some of the shots I hit. I knew you can't force it out here.

Just tried to be aggressive but not silly and hit solid shots, and, yeah, it was impressive to watch. He played well. Hopefully can chase him down the next few days.

Q. I haven't had my coffee either. Links golf, as a whole, does it agree with you? Do you feel like you navigated links golf pretty well up to this point and certainly this week?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I think this week more so than in the past. I don't have a ton of experience on the links golf, but yeah, I feel like my game is suited well. Puts a premium on hitting the ball solid in the wind and being able to control your ball, something I'm good at.

I like using creativity as well. Fortunately haven't got myself in too many strange places yet. But I really like links golf with my limited experience, and it's always something I thought I would be well suited for. It's definitely a fun change and a fun challenge for me this week.

Q. One quick follow up. Given your position on the leaderboard, tied for sixth, couple shots back, how does the afternoon look weather-wise? Do you think you'll still be in the mix heading into Saturday?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, the wind honestly started calming on down a little bit as we are finishing up. The sun came out. Not really sure, I think it's forecasted to be still windy this afternoon, but there is not a cloud in the sky. Probably be pretty sunny.

I think I'll get passed by a number of players, but I'm still happy with the position I'm in. Still got a shot with a few good rounds.

Q. So looked like it's a generation of Canadian players, especially this year, you, Mackenzie and even Brooke with the women, that are always in the interviews at the beginning of week in the majors. Brooke was saying that it has to do with the Canadian National Team and the Golf Federation. Can you explain a little bit about that?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, there is definitely a lot of bright Canadians right now. It's great to be a part of. Speaking on the development program they have, the National Team program, they have junior team, men's team, and women's team, and more in the amateur ranks. I was fortunate to be a part of that. It's a great training platform, great development platform, and they provide all the resources that players need in order to get ready for NCAA golf, college golf, or professional golf.

So I was very fortunate to have been a part of that. Derek Ingram is the head coach and he's still my coach now out here on tour. I can't speak highly enough of him and the help he's given all the Canadians, and continuing with myself to this day.

Q. I've had my coffee. Two Cups actually.

COREY CONNERS: Nice work.

Q. What have you been able to do when you're not golfing, when you are at home? Been able to work out? Been able to do anything? How are you passing your time?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, a lot of just hanging out this week. Staying in a house with my wife Mallory, Danny, and Derek. Playing some cards in the evening. I've almost done my second book. A little bit of reading.

Yeah, just hanging out. It's unusual not being able to really do anything, kind of confined to our accommodation and the golf course. But just making the most of it. We're having a good time. I like to sleep a lot as well, so that takes up a good chunk of my days.

Q. What are you reading? Anything interesting?

COREY CONNERS: Billion Dollar Whale currently. I don't know. Kind of a nonfiction finance book about a Malaysian guy who stole some money. Not advisable.