MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 10, 2025

Corey Conners

Quick Quotes

Q. Corey, a great round today. You've had success at Augusta National in the past. What was the secret for you today?

COREY CONNERS: I scored the ball really well today. I was not really thrilled with some of my iron play, mis-hit a few shots, but I was able to scramble really well and get the ball in the hole and not really drop too many shots. I was able to convert chances when I had them.

Q. Is that almost better that you scored so well without having maybe your A-game in terms of ball striking?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, you always feel good coming off the course when you post a good number. So, yeah, happy with the way I battled hard on some of the holes. I was a little bit out of position, just trying to get the ball up-and-down or two-putt.

Yeah, definitely feels good to add up to a low round.

Q. Did you have a window on 17, or did you have to bend that one?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I had a pretty good angle. I got kind of lucky to end up where it did. I've been in a similar spot to a right pin where I've had to really curve it, but I had a pretty clean look at the hole out there.

Q. On 7, how much of a game changer or a round saver was it to get in?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it was big. I was a little bit sloppy on 5, making a bogey. Again, a little bit sloppy on 7, left it in the bunker on my third shot. To see that go in, that was great. I was trying hard to get it up-and-down the second time, and it went in. That was a nice bonus and definitely a momentum builder.

Q. It's been said that Augusta National is a second-shot golf course. You are one of the game's better iron players. Do you feel like this is a good match for your game?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I feel like it's a great match for my game. I struck the ball well around here many times. The course never plays straightforward, but when you hit really solid shots, you can leave yourself in the correct positions and not have too much stress.

Q. Are you aware that Coach Page is watching you?

COREY CONNERS: We exchanged some texts earlier in the week. I know he's always watching us and always cheering us on.

Wishing Coach nothing but the best and look forward to seeing him again soon. Hopefully he can get out here and watch some of his players again.

Q. How much did he impact your life?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, he taught me so much. It's hard to really summarize it quickly. He's just such a passionate guy. He cared so much about all of his players. He taught us so much on and off the golf course and made us good players and better people. Really owe him a lot for the success that I've had and the person that I am.

Q. Has he inspired you at all this week?

COREY CONNERS: For sure. No one is more of a fighter than Coach Page. I know he's doing everything he can. Like I said, look forward to getting to see him soon. I know he's always cheering for us.

Q. You've had success and a comfort around here for years. Has it sort of always felt to you that this would be a place where you could break through?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it's a golf course that I love coming to. I don't know how you couldn't love coming here. It's a spectacular event, a spectacular golf course.

Yeah, I feel like the course does suit my eye really well and plays into some of my strengths? Yeah, it's just fun to be out here and try to enjoy myself every day.

Q. Sorry if you've been asked this already, but is there a moment that sticks out from when you contended here a few years back and almost had it? Was there a moment in the aftermath that still sticks in your head?

COREY CONNERS: I wouldn't really say so. I certainly remember hitting a lot of great shots. I was just never able to get a great round in when I need it. I played solid here many times.

It just takes something special to get yourself near the top of the leaderboard. That's just been missing, I guess.

Q. You talked earlier about how much better you feel with this new putter. But going out there in a competitive round, can you just reiterate your thoughts on this new putter on these greens?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it felt good. I felt like I was hitting my start lines well today. I like the speed of these greens. They're obviously very fast. You don't need to work too hard to get the ball to the hole. I feel like just the rhythm I have is good.

I have confidence I'm getting started online, and I was able to hole some nice ones today.

Q. Your dad is taking some credit for you switching to a center shaft.

COREY CONNERS: He was all over me to try it out. I wasn't really looking to make a change, but it's been a good change.

Q. Lots of players have talked about managing their emotions as being the key thing. What were the ebbs and flows for you?

COREY CONNERS: Yeah, you're always a little bit nervous getting started. Played the first couple of holes pretty nicely and was kind of settled into the round. I did a good job of not compounding errors when I got in tricky spots.

I've learned in the past you get a little bit flustered and a little more nervous trying to recover on some shots. It was just having fun out here. It's a great place to be and feel very fortunate to have a spot in the tournament. It was fun.

Q. When did you make the putter switch?

COREY CONNERS: At Bay Hill.