WGC DELL TECHNOLOGIES MATCH PLAY

March 26, 2022

Corey Conners

Austin Country Club

Press Conference

MICHAEL BALIKER: Corey Conners, first Canadian to reach the semifinals at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Just some opening comments on this day and thoughts on heading into the big day tomorrow.

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I feel great to be in this position. Feel like I've played really well. Some hard-fought matches. Had to earn it. Nothing was really given to me. It feels great to be sitting here.

Still feeling energized. I think I'll have some adrenaline tomorrow and that'll help me get through.

Q. What's been the most difficult match you've had this week outside of Paul Casey, obviously?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it was unfortunate what happened to Paul. I think the match with Abe today. He's a really solid player. He was going to battle until the end, and it was hard to gain any ground on him. But I felt like I did a good job of not getting myself out of any holes and battling when I needed to.

Q. What experience, if any, do you have playing with Kevin?

COREY CONNERS: A little bit of experience. I know his record at this event is very, very good, so he's obviously playing well to be here, as well. It'll be a hard-fought match.

I think we both have really solid games tee to green, good on the greens. It'll be a fun battle.

Q. I might have this wrong, but was the match against Abe, was that the first time you actually played the 18th in competition this week?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, that was the first time playing the 18th. I played 17 against Louis.

Q. Was that kind of weird to not see a hole until Saturday?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, definitely kind of weird. I was looking in my yardage book, keeping notes of kind of what I've done the previous days, and the notes were dwindling on those last few holes.

I prepared well, played some practice rounds, but yeah, I don't think I played it once last year, either. I was on the losing end of many matches.

Q. I don't know exactly what you said earlier in the week, but there was something about it that getting to Sunday here doesn't seem like a big surprise to you.

COREY CONNERS: Well, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't surprised. I had confidence in my game. I really like match play, feel like I'm a competitor out there. You know, I'm thrilled to be here, but there's still lots of work to be done.

Q. Your confidence was pretty high, the way you play?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I never get too far ahead of myself, but I felt like I was playing really well, and I really liked my game. I felt like I was hitting the ball really well, driving it well and ironing it well, and it's a good combination for match play, just being in every hole, giving yourself chances on every hole.

Q. What, if at all, are you trying to prove to Trevor Immelman this week?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it obviously looks good winning matches; that's the format for the Presidents Cup. I'm not really thinking about that too much. I thought about it playing Abe today. He's had some experience there.

But I'm just trying to play my game, take care of business, and hopefully keep looking good for the captain.

Q. You were so close to getting a call-up last time. How did you take that? Did it give you more desire to try to make it there?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, obviously it was very close, but I didn't earn my spot on the team, and I'll be definitely trying to do that this year.

No, was a little disappointed to not be there, but just kind of looked ahead, and I'm excited for the opportunity this year and the years to come.

Q. I think you've had 11 birdies and two bogeys today. Are you playing some of your best golf you've played in a long time?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I feel like I've got great control of my ball tee to green and rolling in putts when I need to, capitalizing on opportunities. Yep, sounds about right, and I feel like I'm playing well.

Q. Is the course playing any different as the week goes along?

COREY CONNERS: I think it's gotten a little bit trickier. It was definitely trickier this afternoon with the wind being up a little bit. Felt like it firmed up, and some of the shots were a little more difficult. But sort of to be expected, and I think that theme will continue throughout tomorrow.

Q. I assume you'll play San Antonio, right?

COREY CONNERS: Yes, sir. Can't wait to be back.

Q. Canada, Kent State, living in Florida, what about Texas? It's obviously a place you play well. What is it?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I think it's always windy in Texas, and you've got to hit the ball solid. That's something I feel like is a strength in my game. Yeah, I like Texas. I like the heat. Living in Florida, it doesn't bother me. You really have to strike it well in the wind, so it's something I've come to like.