AUGUSTA, Ga. — The 89th Masters Tournament is officially underway at Augusta National Golf Club, and all eyes are on the Canadian contingent, particularly Corey Conners, as he seeks to make history. With a field that includes 95 players, all vying for a share of the $20 million purse, Conners is among four Canadians looking to etch their names into the annals of golf history alongside Mike Weir, the only Canadian to win the Masters back in 2003.
As the tournament progresses, Conners has already made a strong impression. He teed off at 9:14 a.m. alongside Brian Harman and Stephan Jaeger, and by the end of the third hole, he found himself tied for seventh place with a score of -1. This marks a promising start for Conners, who has three top-10 finishes in his six previous Masters appearances. After a T38 finish last year, Conners is looking to regain his form and improve upon his past performances, which included finishes of T10 in 2020, T8 in 2021, and T6 in 2022.
Conners' confidence is buoyed by his recent success on the PGA Tour, where he has achieved four top-10 finishes in just nine events this season, matching his total from all of last year. His best result came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he finished in third place. Notably, Conners ranks 19th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee and 21st in the Official World Golf Ranking, the highest position of his career.
On the practice round before the tournament, Conners was joined by fellow Canadians Mike Weir, Nick Taylor, and Taylor Pendrith. The camaraderie among these players is palpable, as they share the common goal of making their mark at this prestigious event. Conners expressed optimism about his game, stating, "I feel like there is a win around the corner. I’ve just got to stick to the game plan and we’ll see what happens. Try and get myself in the mix on Sunday." His precise ball-striking and gentle draw are seen as ideal for the challenges presented by Augusta National.
As the tournament progresses, Conners is not the only Canadian making headlines. Mike Weir, who won the Masters in 2003, is also in the mix, currently sitting at T23 with a score of +1 after seven holes. Taylor Pendrith, making his Masters debut, shares the same score as Weir. Meanwhile, Nick Taylor, who has faced challenges in major championships, is set to tee off at 12:11 p.m. ET, hoping to break a streak of nine consecutive missed cuts in majors.
As the day unfolds, the leaderboard is shaping up with Zach Johnson, Nicolai Hojgaard, Chris Kirk, Noah Kent, Aaron Rai, and Brian Harman leading at -2. The competition is fierce, but Conners' early performance bodes well for his chances. With a strong showing, he could not only solidify his status as the top Canadian at the Masters but also aim for a victory that would place him alongside Weir in the history books.
The narrative surrounding this year’s Masters is not just about individual performances; it’s about the collective strength of the Canadian golfers. The days of seeing a single Canadian flag on the leaderboard are long gone, as Conners, Taylor, Pendrith, and Hughes represent a new wave of talent. With a combined 11 wins on tour, this generation is poised to make a significant impact.
Nick Taylor, the most senior member of the group at 36, has been vocal about his aspirations. He stated, "Teeing off Sunday with a chance going to the back nine is definitely the next step in my career that I’m working hard towards. And again that belief is growing that I’m able to do that, I just need to do it." His experience and past successes make him a player to watch, even as he navigates the pressures of major tournaments.
For Conners, the Masters is not just another tournament; it’s an opportunity to cement his legacy. He has never finished a season inside the top 100 in putting, which has been a point of contention for him. However, armed with a new prototype putter this season, he is hopeful that he can turn his fortunes around. His focus is on executing his game plan and putting himself in contention as the tournament progresses.
As the first round continues, the excitement builds not just for Conners but for all the Canadians in the field. The camaraderie displayed during practice rounds and the shared goal of success at Augusta National highlight the unity among these players. The stakes are high, and as the tournament unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see if one of them can add another chapter to Canada’s golfing history.
With the first major of the season underway, the anticipation is palpable. Conners, along with his fellow Canadians, is ready to take on the challenge of Augusta National, and the golf world will be watching closely to see if this talented group can rise to the occasion and make their mark.
As we look ahead to the weekend, the hope is that one of these Canadian golfers will find themselves in contention come Sunday, battling not just for the green jacket but for a place in history. The Masters is a stage where dreams can become reality, and for Conners and his compatriots, the time is now.
