Listowel, Ont. native shows off the ball-striking prowess that he’s known for in his day job on the PGA Tour
Corey Conners’ quest to add a medal to his trophy case is off and running at Le Golf National just outside of Paris.
The Canadian opened his 2024 Olympic Games with a three-under par round of 68 in a tie for 15th. Conners’ was four-under — and near the top of the leaderboard — heading to the final hole, before making his second bogey of the day at the 482-yard par-4 18th.
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On a day of optimal scoring conditions with little breeze and warm but not stifling temperatures, the 32-year-old Conners was out on the golf course early, playing in the fourth group of the morning beginning at 9:33 a.m. local time.
Hideki Matsuyama is the clubhouse leader, posting a sparkling eight-under round of 63. The Japanese star is two shots clear of double-major winner Xander Schauffele, who sits in second place after shooting a six-under 65,
“My putts went in the cup well today. My shots went into the fairway, too. So I had a lot of chances, so I’m happy,” Matsuyama said after his round. “I’m glad I was able to finish the day in the top spot.”
Back to Canada’s top-ranked golfer.
It was a very Corey Conners’-style round for the Listowel, Ont. native on Thursday, as the two-time PGA Tour winner showed off the ball-striking prowess he’s known for in his day job. Conners hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation on Thursday, hitting his approach shot within 10 feet of the hole on six occasions.
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Travelling to Paris with his wife Malory, the 2024 Games are Conners’ second trip to the Olympics. The Canadian hadn’t played Le Golf National in person ahead of this week’s event, but he did get a taste of the course at home in Canada before heading over.
“I’ve got a little golf studio in my basement back home in Canada. I was able to take a few trips around Le Golf National virtually, I guess, and kind of got a feel for it,” he said ahead of the event. “You can’t really appreciate the terrain and some of the ups and downs the course has as much when you’re looking at a screen.
“I picked up a few strategy pointers, I would say, on some distances that it’s ideal to hit off some of the tees. Definitely nice in person and good to be here but I think it was a little bit helpful. It gave me an idea of what to expect.”
What’s different this time compared to Conners’ previous Olympic trip three years ago, is this time there are spectators in attendance.
The Tokyo Games three years ago were played without fans due to COVID-19, but early returns from Paris have French golf enthusiasts showing up in good numbers. Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson estimated a Thursday crowd of approximately 25,000 fans to watch the world’s best battle for an Olympic medal.
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Playing under the Irish flag, Rory McIlroy also shot a three-under 68 on Thursday. The Northern Irish star was impressed with the crowd at the Le Golf National course, 40km southwest of Paris.
“Unbelievable, it was surprising,” McIroy said of the fans. “With so many events going on spread all across the city, for people to venture out here and to watch us play, it was a really cool atmosphere to play in.”
Like Conners, the 2024 Games are McIlroy’s second experience playing Olympic golf.
“I thought the weekend it might get a few more people. I thought the first couple days might be a little bit quieter but it was awesome,” he saidl of the galleries following his group. “Tokyo was a ghost town. Yeah, this was much better.”
Nick Taylor is the other Canadian in the field and he finished his opening round at one-under par.
Brooke Henderson and Alena Sharp begin play in the women’s tournament next Thursday.
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