MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 6, 2023

Corey Conners

Quick Quotes

Q. Just assess your round out there today.

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it felt like I did a lot of things well. I didn't really go after much. Pretty steady start kind of through the first 10 holes. Nice to get a few birdies to go kind of the 12, 13. It felt like I did a lot of things really well. Unfortunate error on 15. I hit it over the green. I actually hit a really good -- trying to bump it up the hill and just trickle it on the green, got a funny bounce and raced into the water and tried the same shot and almost did it again. Got kind of lucky that it didn't go in the water again.

Just, yeah, I hit plenty of good shots, didn't really capitalize on any chances and just a few sloppy ones there, kind of missing the green with some short irons on the last two holes. A little disappointing, but yeah, it was close. I felt, like I said, I hit a lot of good shots. I did a good job of getting it in play off the tee.

Q. Was it a tough decision in the fairway on 15 or was it just a matter of execution?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, the ball really flew a lot further than I expected. I ended up hitting a 4-iron. I needed to fly something about 215 at the very minimum and that seemed like a bit of a stretch for my 5. Any type of mishit was kind of taking the water out of play. I really didn't think -- I just pushed it a little bit. It flew over the bunker. I think if it landed on the green, was just a little bit to the left, it might have hung on closer to the back edge and had something. I was really trying to sort of land it in the back half of the green behind the pin, just kind of pushed it a little bit. So kind of an execution error. Just came out a little hotter than I expected.

Q. With the day being so beautiful and the forecast, was there any thought of needing to make something happen today on this round?

COREY CONNERS: I never really think that way, but I definitely am disappointed to not have posted a little bit better number. IT felt like the game's in good shape. Yeah, it was just a little off and wasn't able to capitalize.

Q. How important was the birdie on 8 to get back to even par?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, that was a really nice up-and-down. Hit a really great 3-wood that I'm sure it just barely trickled over the green, so it wasn't too far over. Yeah, had a tricky pitch, had to kind of bump it up the hill, and hit it pretty good, was able to make that putt. That was nice. It felt great.

Making the turn I thought I could give myself some chances and hit some really good shots on 12 and 13 to make birdies there, but, yeah, let it slide a little bit at the end.

Q. The tee ball on 12, did you -- I don't know, were you standing over it for a long time or did you kind of have your number?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I had my number executed, felt pretty comfortable. Pushed it a couple yards. But was looking kind of just left of the pin. Hit a pretty solid shot. You're never too confident when the ball's in the air, but I struck it exactly how I wanted to. I thought it was going to be really good when it was flying, but there's always a little bit of doubt in your mind on that hole.

Q. Same game plan for tomorrow, just hopefully better execution?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, just hopefully hit some better iron shots. I was a little off on some of the distances. I think if I give myself a few more better chances and try and get some rolled in.

Q. Any thoughts on the changes to the 5th hole?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it's similar, played similar last couple years.

Q. Still very hard.

COREY CONNERS: I think still very hard, yeah. It's long.

Q. But you don't think it's changed the strategy, at least the way you're playing it?

COREY CONNERS: No, I got a good plan for that. Just swing away with the driver and I'm trying to hit the middle of the green.