Connor shoots, scores plenty at Players Cup

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This article was published 15/08/2019 (2334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kyle Connor has learned first-hand just how difficult the world of professional golf can be.

The high-scoring Winnipeg Jets forward put up a big number at Southwood Golf & Country Club Thursday after being granted a sponsor’s exemption into the 100th Players Cup with the hopes of attracting some extra eyes on the product.

Connor really struggled out of the gate — three triples, two doubles and a bogey on his first six holes quickly had him at 14-over — but he managed to right the ship, at least a bit, and finish with a 94. That included a back nine of 6-over 42 after a front nine of 16-over 52.

“A little bit (of nerves). It was pretty tough. Some of the holes you get the wind going and one or two bad shots just get compounded. Couldn’t really settle it down. But not a bad back nine. Try to build off it,” said Connor.

The 22-year-old Michigan product came into the week under no illusions he could actually hang in there with the talented members of the Mackenzie Tour — PGA Tour Canada.

His main goal, in addition to having some fun, was to try to beat the scores posted by teammate Mark Scheifele in last year’s tournament.

Swing and a miss on that front, at least so far. Scheifele opened with a 15-over 87 last year, then followed up with a 14-over 86 in his second round.

“Kind of first time playing competitive, so it was a little different, for sure. There were quite a bit of people,” said Connor.

“A lot of fun. Some good shots out there. It was a lot of fun to be in that type of atmosphere. It was definitely a challenge.”

Connor, who easily had the largest group of spectators on the course following him around, will start his second (and final) round at 9:30 a.m. today. Admission and parking at Southwood is free for the entire event, including the weekend.

Connor wasn’t surprised to see so many low scores Thursday, with 79 of the 156 players under par and the leader firing an 8-under 64 on the day.

“These guys are great players,” Connor said.

“You see them hitting every shot, they don’t miss. So it was expected.”

Connor is a restricted free agent still without a new contract less than a month before NHL training camps are set to begin. He said earlier this week he’s not worried and hopes to sign a long-term extension in time to hit the ice with his teammates.

It’s been 23 years and counting since a Manitoban captured the Players Cup, a feat accomplished by then-amateur Rob McMillan. And while six local hopefuls teed it up on Thursday, it appears highly unlikely that drought is going to end this week.

Selkirk’s Travis Fredborg, making his professional debut after finishing his collegiate career with the University of Arizona, has the best shot after firing an even-par 72, which puts him eight strokes behind leader Derek Chang and in a tie for 80th.

Fredborg, 23, was in the final group of the day along with Connor and Dalen Yamauchi of Arizona, who also shot 72.

Winnipegger Bret Thompson, a Simon Fraser University grad who earned his way into the tournament after Monday qualifying at Glendale, shot a 1-over 73.

Devon Schade, who also recently turned pro after finishing up his collegiate golf career with the University of Manitoba, shot a 5-over 77. Shilo’s Austin Dobrescu, who was the runner-up in the Manitoba Men’s Amateur earlier this summer, was 6 over after a 78.

Josh Neufeld, an amateur currently enrolled at the University of Manitoba, shot 8-over 80. Club professional Derrik Goodwin of St. Charles turned in a 13-over 85. Goodwin is a golf instructor at the U of M, and played in the same group as Neufeld, one of his students.

Fredborg, Schade, Dobrescu, Neufeld and Goodwin were all given sponsor’s exemptions.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg