BOND HEAD – At a single round qualifying tournament for a coveted spot at the upcoming RBC Canadian Open, Corey Conners shot a plus-three 75.
Only the top four scores out of a massive field of 157 competitors earned a last-minute exemption to the highly-anticipated PGA Tour event, and Listowel’s Conners was hoping to parlay his recent success into a berth at the tournament.
He finished tied for 39th at the event on Monday, July 19 at The Club at Bond Head, near Mississauga. His score was seven back of the winner and five strokes behind earning a tie for the fourth and final spot.
Though he was a long shot, being an 18-year-old amateur amongst so many skilled players from around North America – including professionals – he fared well but could not defy the odds and finish in the top four.
Conners birdied the 291-yard first hole, then bogeyed number two.
Six straight pars brought him to even entering the par-five ninth. This hole gave him trouble as he double-bogeyed to sit at a plus-two 38 at the turn.
He shot par-par-birdie to start the back nine and stay in contention, but a pair of bogeys over the last six holes put him out of the running.
Christopher Ross of Dundas, ON and Beon Yeong Lee of Montreal both shot four-under 68 to win the qualifier, and Lucas Lee will join them at the Canadian Open after shooting a 69.
Four players finished tied for that final spot after firing 70’s. Two were eliminated after the initial playoff hole but the last two players – Jeffery Puska of Ladysmith, B.C. and David Williamson of Halifax – had to wait until the following morning to decide their fate due to darkness.
The RBC Canadian Open goes July 19-25 at the St. George’s Golf and Country Club in Toronto.
Conners is now competing at the GAO’s Junior and Juvenile Boys Golf Championship hosted by his hometown Listowel Golf Club.