SUDBURY – Corey Conners is at it again.
Another big golf tournament, another clutch performance for the 18-year-old from Listowel.
The most recent addition to his already spectacular 2010 season is the Golf Association of Ontario’s Amateur Championship.
He carded a course record-breaking 65 in his final round to finish the four-day tournament tied with Matt Hoffman of Thornhill at seven-under par, cueing a playoff to determine the champ.
After narrowly missing an eagle putt on the second playoff hole, he tapped in for birdie and the victory.
“After how I played in Japan, I knew I would be capable of winning this tournament,” Conners said in a GAO press release, referring to the World Jr. Cup tournament in June. “I got off to a really good start this morning, and after I chipped in for birdie on the (par 3) 14th, I just told myself to make sure I got into the clubhouse with the lowest possible score. I just kept making birdies.”
Conners owned Sudbury’s Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on the last day of action, clawing all the way back from a five-stroke deficit at the beginning of the round.
Jace Walker of St. Thomas came in as the leader, but collapsed over the last few holes to finish a heartbreaking single stroke back of Conners and Hoffman.
Conners was tied for ninth after day one, shooting a one-over 73. A one-under 71 merely kept him in the same position as the tournament reached the halfway point.
An even 72 on day three put him in sixth spot, but trying to make up the five strokes to catch Walker atop the leader board in the last round seemed like a tough task.
Yet it’s his ability to close out tournaments – as seen with his stunning final two rounds in Japan – that is giving him an advantage over the field.
Of the 88 years this championship has been in existence, Conners is one of the youngest to ever take home the Gary Cowan trophy. Previous notable champions include Mike Weir, Matt Hill and Jon Mills.
“This is a huge accomplishment for me, for sure. It doesn’t get much bigger than this in amateur golf,” he said.