A South Carolina connection helped Corey Conners to solid first day at the Masters
In the last five days, Corey Conners has earned his way into the 83rd Masters, his wife Malory has gone viral on social media, and his Charleston-raised caddie Kyle Peters has had to learn a lot about Augusta National Golf Club.
And, oh yeah, he led the Masters for a while Thursday. Conners, a 27-year-old Canadian who had to win the Valero Texas Open on Sunday to get a spot this year at Augusta National, eagled the par-5 15th hole to move to 3-under and take a one-shot lead. He eventually bogeyed No. 18 to fall back to 2-under and finished the first day at Augusta National Golf Club there.
“It’s just been a crazy whirlwind,” Malory Conners, whose reactions during her husband’s final round in the Valero tournament made her a social media star, said after her husband’s round. “We haven’t really had to time to process it yet. It doesn’t seem real.”
Corey Conners, who married Malory in October, was playing his first Masters as a professional. He missed the cut in 2015 as an amateur.
Peters was not caddying for Conners then. The first time the James Island Charter graduate stepped on the course was Monday.
“It’s pretty much exactly what everyone says,” Peters said.
While Conners had help from his sponsor and manager to get all he needed on short notice to play this week, Peters said he was ready to go from the start.
“At this point I am kind of ready for anything to happen,” he said.
Peters was able to secure tickets for his parents — John and Becca Peters — to attend Thursday’s round.
“Corey helped me with that,” he said.
Conners, who is ranked No. 84 in the world, had to win a qualifying tournament last week just to earn a place in the Valero Open.
“Yeah, it’s been wild, definitely unexpected, but I’m playing some good golf and really excited to be here and honored to be playing in the Masters and just trying to keep riding the good play,” he said. “I had a great day out there today, a lot of fun, and hit some quality shots and was able to get a couple under par, which was very pleasing. It’s been a bit crazy the last week but everything’s been great and just trying to really enjoy the experience.”
Conners was in the first grouping of the day (playing with Adam Long, who won at Columbia’s Woodcreek Plantation in a Hooters Tour event), which meant he teed off right after honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.
“It was pretty cool, I was able to stand on the back of the tee and watch them tee off and really appreciate what they have done for the game of golf and it was a really cool experience to be part of. I just tried to soak it in and really enjoy it,” he said. “And then being in the first group following them, that was pretty special as well. My playing partners, Adam and Andrew are both good friends, so we’re very comfortable out there and we had a great time.”
Masters links
▪ Masters free online live stream
▪ Masters favorites, betting odds
Schedule, how to watch 2019 Masters live coverage
TV schedule
Thursday, 3 to 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Friday, 3 to 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m., CBS
Sunday, 2 to 7 p.m., CBS
Masters free online live stream: Masters.com
This story was originally published April 11, 2019 at 2:58 PM.