Canada's Conners aims to build on top 10 finishes over previous 2 years at Masters

Corey Conners has been in contention at the Masters the past two years. This week, he's ready to finally don the green jacket.

Conners, from Listowel, Ont., is one of three Canadians competing at Augusta National Golf Club starting on Thursday. He tied for 10th at the event in 2020 and then tied for eighth last year.

"I'm going to have to work hard and try and trust myself out there," said Conners about being in reach of winning his first-ever major this weekend. "But I'm very excited to get back and I'm excited about where my game's at.

Conners finished in a tie for 46th in 2019, his first time playing at the Masters as a professional, his rookie season on the PGA Tour.

He's come a long way since then.

WATCH | 2022 Masters Preview: Tiger's return, Canadians to watch, McIlroy aims for 'Grand Slam':

A 5-under 67 on Sunday helped Conners tie for 35th the Valero Texas Open and hold on to the 32nd spot on the world golf rankings for a second straight week, matching a career best.

His "worst" performance this season was a tie for 40th at the Shriners Children's Open on Oct. 10, when he was 10-under par overall.

"I am just a regular guy from a small town in Canada," said Conners. "I have had some good results, but I feel like there's still a lot more that I'm able to achieve or that I can achieve.

"So I'm going to keep working hard and see where it takes me but never get too far ahead of myself and try not to let my head swell up too big."

Conners played a practice round with Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., at Augusta on Tuesday.

Weir, who won in 2003, will be the first Canadian to tee off on Thursday at 8:11 a.m. ET. Hughes is next at 9:39 a.m., and Conners will begin at 12:13 p.m.

The