Q. Talk about today. Solid day. You got to be happy with 8 birdies and only one bogey.
COREY CONNERS: Definitely. It was solid day. Nice to get off to a good start here. Coming into the week you know you're going to need to make a lot of birdies, and was able to do that, some nice putts went in. Felt like I hit the ball pretty well. Was a little conservative on some approach shots, but gave myself plenty of decent looks. Not too many shots that I want over.
Q. A typical day for you, 17 out of 18 greens hit in regulation. That's kind of what you always do, that's the ballgame for you, right?
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, I mean, yeah, things are going well when that happens, obviously. Yeah, I felt like I was in good control of my irons, and it's nice to hit a lot of greens, give myself a lot of birdie putts, so definitely happy about that.
Q. Always fun to watch you play and hit those irons. What's the goal in 2025?
COREY CONNERS: Definitely like to get back in the winner's circle, if not more than once, get myself into contention in these Signature Events, in these big events, in the majors. Yeah, just felt like it was kind of middle of the pack most of the season last year, and just getting off to a good start here building some momentum and getting myself in the mix more.
Q. You're such a great long-iron player, but out here it seems like you guys hit more wedges and short clubs, right, because you bomb it off the tee.
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, that was definitely a focus this off season to continue to tidy up some of the wedge game. I'm really good in the 125-plus range, comparatively speaking, and tried to tidy some things up inside 125. Yeah, there's definitely a mix of shots out here, but you can get some wedges, and it's nice to be able to knock those close.
Q. Back to this course, at 18 when you have 309 for your second shot, it's not that daunting of a shot, but then again you have to play the bank over there on the right and that sort of thing, right?
COREY CONNERS: Yeah, it's not as easy as it looks maybe even on TV. Striking it solidly is difficult with the ball kind of above your feet on a down slope. And that's really my, you know, I felt like I had a really good number, if I tagged the 3-wood, I can land it just short and maybe sneak it on. Yeah, it's not an easy shot to hit solid, I think, but felt comfortable, felt like I had a good number, and hit it with some freedom. I think it sets up well for me being able to draw it naturally, and kind of turn it a little right-to-left in there and get the slope to help you out.
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