Corey Conners consistently thrives in early April. He's hoping that can carry him to a win at the Masters, the first major of the men's golf season.
The first time Conners qualified for the storied tournament at Augusta National Golf Club was when he won the Valero Texas Open in 2019. He won the Texas Open again last weekend, although he had already qualified for the Masters, and that victory has given him more confidence heading into this week.
"I feel great about where my game is at," said Conners on Sunday after a bogey-free 4-under 68 round at TPC San Antonio. "I've been looking forward to getting back to Augusta for some time now and I've played well there the last few years.
"I'm really excited to get back again and feel very positive about where my game's at."
Conners, from Listowel, Ont., was being typically modest about doing well at Augusta the past few years.
After Conners tied for 46th in 2019, he has finished in the top 10 the past three Masters. That includes a tie for 10th in 2020, a tie for eighth the next year, and then finishing in a tie for sixth in 2022.
Despite that continued success at Augusta, the 31-year-old Conners said he was going into the week with no expectations.
"I haven't really thought about it," said Conners on Sunday. "I was trying to work my game into shape, trying to get myself into contention (in Texas).
"I'm looking forward to getting there, getting a reset and, getting prepared for a good week."
Part of Conners's preparation included a practice round on Tuesday with Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont.
Conners said that despite his success at Augusta it's still helpful to play a round with Weir.
"Always fun being out here with him," Conners told reporters on Tuesday. "You can watch him hit shots around the greens. It's pretty impressive.
"I've gotten to know him a lot better the last number of years, and it's great to spend time with him."
Svensson is making his Masters debut but practised at Augusta in mid-March after the Players Championship. He told media on Monday that the early practice round has given him something of a psychological edge.
"It was a good idea to play it a couple weeks ago because I've seen it and it's not like 'wow' anymore," he said. "I've seen it, so I think that's a good thing."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2023.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press