Media Center Interviews
April 2, 2024
Pre-Tournament Interview with Corey Conners
DOUG MILNE: We would like to welcome the 2019 and 2023 winner of the Valero Texas Open, Corey Conners.
Corey, thanks for joining us for a few minutes. We were talking on the way over about what a special family friendly, fun place this is. You've got everybody here. We can talk more about that, but just a little insight into how you got the job done last year. I'm sure the opening round 64 didn't hurt, but just how nice it is to be back at a place especially where you've won twice.
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it's awesome to be back. This will always be a special place to me. Coming off the win last year, obviously a lot of good memories and really drew off the memories I had in '19 as well last year to get it done. It's definitely a place I feel comfortable, a place I'm happy walking around. Definitely lots of good vibes and lots of good memories that I can draw from out there. Really like the golf course, it's in great shape again this year and definitely really fun to be back. I'm excited to give it a good run again this year.
DOUG MILNE: You've racked up top-20s in your last two starts, big events, Bay Hill and PLAYERS Championship. Just a few comments on how you're feeling about your game coming into the week.
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I feel good about my game, felt really solid especially at THE PLAYERS Championship. I had an off day on Saturday that took me out of contention, but lots of positives from the last few weeks.
I feel like all parts of my game are trending in the right direction. Been hitting the ball well, short game and putting have been getting sharper and sharper, and yeah, just continue to work hard. But I feel good about everything and feel like it's just a matter of time before I turn those top-20s into top-10s and wins.
Q. Corey, what stands how out when you look at the field this week and the quality of the competition you're up against?
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it's awesome to see many of the top players here in San Antonio this week. It's a great event, they do an awesome job. Yeah, I'm excited to tee it up alongside a number of the top players in the world. I think it's great for the tournament, Valero. Yeah, I think those guys will see what a special place this is as well. Leading into Augusta some of them probably wanted to get some tournament reps under their belt and this is certainly a place that will test you and see where your game's at.
Q. Where do you stand on that? I think people go either way about whether they should play the week before Augusta or not.
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I don't see myself ever not playing here. I think this is an amazing place and I've had obviously good results here.
I'm mixed, I don't -- I think this year I'll be playing before every major just the way that the schedule is set up. I've been on and off in the past. Played well at the PGA last year with a week off before. I've had good results at Augusta coming off playing the Valero here in San Antonio as well.
Q. Do you think there's any different mindset for guys who know they're going to be at Augusta next week versus guys who do not have that opportunity? You've been on both sides of it.
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I think guys who don't have an opportunity in the field, there's a bright light at the end of the tunnel here if you win like I did in '19, you punch a ticket to Augusta. I think some guys are motivated, sort of the last chance to get in the field there.
Guys who are in the field, obviously hard to not think ahead because that's a special week as well. You can't -- I think everyone's going to be fighting hard this week. It's a demanding golf course, fairly tricky conditions and got to take care of business this week definitely. That's certainly what I'm focused on.
DOUG MILNE: Before we let you go, I do have to ask, you shared a fun story about your family all kind of collecting here and all the different trials. Can you just run that through the folks here?
COREY CONNERS: Yeah. So my wife, Malory, and Reis are here again, they were here last year. My in-laws came back again. They were here to cheer me on last year and they're back trying to bring some good vibes again. They'll be at Augusta next week as well. They drove their RV to Augusta and got it parked and set up for next week and flew here yesterday. Got the squad here and they're excited to be back and I'm excited to have them. I think everyone's looking forward to that as well.
DOUG MILNE: So you've really got pressure to play well this week.
COREY CONNERS: It's all good. They're very supportive. Certainly my wife and daughter, they think the same of me regardless of how I play. It's fun to be back here. This place, being able to stay right on site here, the girls are at the water park today, maybe try and join them for a few laps in the pool or a few slides this afternoon. It's a beautiful place and we're all thrilled to be back.
DOUG MILNE: OK. Well, Corey, we sure appreciate your time and we wish you the best of luck this week.
