Corey Conners Aims for Olympic Glory as He Heads to Paris

In a significant milestone in his golfing career, Canadian golfer Corey Conners is gearing up to compete for Olympic medals after concluding his performance at the Open Championship in Scotland.

Conners wrapped up his challenging tournament with a commendable three-under-par 68, a score that provided a much-needed relief after a disheartening round of 80 on Saturday, effectively ending his hopes of claiming the Claret Jug.

After a brief visit to his hometown to be with his wife Malory, Conners is poised to travel to Paris, where he will join fellow Canadian golfers Nick Taylor, Brooke Henderson, and Alena Sharp in representing Canada in the upcoming Olympic Games.

“There’s a tremendous opportunity with three medals up for grabs,” Conners expressed after completing his final round at Royal Troon.

This upcoming competition marks a unique chapter for the 32-year-old, who typically focuses on striving for the top position in professional golf. “Winning an Olympic medal would be an incredible honor,” he noted. “I grew up watching the Olympics, and the significance of earning a medal is truly special. I’ll be doing everything I can to achieve that.”

Conners mentioned that he and Taylor have been in regular contact regarding preparations for the Games since their selections were announced in June, shortly after the U.S. Open. “We spent that week together and had some discussions about it. We’re both excited, and we plan to arrive a bit early to partake in the opening ceremonies and other events,” he said.

As the self-designated travel planner, Conners has taken the initiative to secure their accommodations and tickets, ensuring that their Olympic experience is well-organized. “I hope everything goes smoothly,” he added with optimism.

Reflecting on his most cherished Olympic memory, Conners recalled the iconic moment when hockey player Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal for Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Games. While he admits to having more memories tied to the Winter Olympics, he displays a strong enthusiasm for summer events, particularly swimming and track, including the prestigious 100-meter sprint.

The men’s golf tournament is scheduled to kick off on August 1 and will unfold over four days in a format resembling many PGA Tour tournaments. The event will be hosted at Le Golf National, a renowned course in Paris that previously welcomed the Ryder Cup in 2018 and is a regular feature on the DP World Tour.

Even though Conners has yet to play at this particular course, he has been preparing with the help of technology. “I have it set up on the simulator in my basement at home,” he mentioned. “I plan to log a few rounds on it as I prepare. I’ve heard great things about the course, and it has become quite a staple on the European Tour, especially given its history with the Ryder Cup.”

Additionally, Conners reminisced about a prior visit to Paris with Malory in 2020, shortly before he made his Olympic debut at the previous Games held in Tokyo. “Interestingly, before the last Olympics, we stayed in Paris after The Open in 2020,” he reflected. “I found the city to be amazing, with so much to explore, fantastic cuisine, and beautiful historic monuments. It was an incredible experience, and I’m eagerly looking forward to returning.”