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L’ÎLE-BIZARD – SAINTE-GENEVIÈVE – A combination of intangibles and data-driven analysis has Corey Conners thinking the International team will be in this year’s President’s Cup.
Conners, from Listowel, Ont., is one of three Canadians wearing the black and gold of the International team for this week’s President’s Cup at Royal Montreal Golf Club. The United States has historically dominated the best-of-the-best tournament that sees 12 Americans face off against 12 players from around the world – excluding Europe – in match play.
“I think everyone on our team knows we’ve been trending in the right direction. We have a good plan in place,” Connors said after Tuesday’s practice round. “We can definitely do it.
“They’ve got our number in the Presidents’ Cup, but I think everyone on the team, the captains, instills a lot of faith in us.”
Conners, 32, also played in 2022 when the Internationals lost to the Americans 17 1/2 to 12 1/2 at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C. It was the United States’ ninth straight win, and 10th out of 12 President’s Cups. The International Games won decisively in 1998 and the tournament ended in a draw in 2003.
Conners and Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill, Ont., were two of eight rookies on the International team two years ago, but only Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., and Min Woo Lee of Australia have joined the team for the first time this year. Connors said having one President’s Cup under his belt taught him what to expect.
“It’s a tough week,” said Connors, who didn’t win a single point in 2022. “The crowds at the last Presidents’ Cup were pretty crazy.
“I’m excited to feel the hometown support here this time, but definitely learned some things and excited to have another crack at it.”
But it’s not just relying on momentum, a partisan crowd, and good club vibes to end their losing skid.
Instead, captain Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., relied heavily on advanced analytics when selecting his team and will use the same data to strategize in real time when the four-day match play competition, five rounds starting on Thursday.
“I think through the whole process for me these last few years it depends on those numbers, depending on having the ear of my five assistant captains and talking to them throughout this whole process helps with the pairings , helps with the selection,” said Weir.
“Once the guys get on the course, you might start to see some different things. As a captain, you move around a bit more so you have the guys out there to keep a closer eye on maybe an individual game and give you that feedback. You can make the adjustments, if needed.”
American captain Jim Furyk estimates that his team started using analytics to help strategize in 2016, but now it has become standard across the PGA Tour.
“It’s just a process we’ve built over time,” Furyk said. “Our analytical team trusts us as captains now as far as what we see and the advice we can give and vice versa.
“We’ve really pressed them and, I think, built a process that we’re comfortable with.”
Conners uses analytics but also relies on his previous experiences on a course.
“I try to simplify things as much as possible, but certainly looking through the yardage book and knowing my game, just trying to stick to my strengths as much as possible,” Conners said, noting that he played Royal Montreal as amateur at the 2014 RBC Canadian Open.
“I wouldn’t say I crunch too many numbers.”
Connors — who graduated from Kent State University with a degree in actuarial mathematics — said it’s not about being intimidated by the numbers, just keeping his mind clear when he’s on the course.
“I’m not afraid of them,” Conners said with a laugh. “It’s been cool to be part of this team again and learn from some of the captains and some of the analytical guys on how they get things done.
“I’m good with numbers, but I try to simplify things as much as I can.”
Weir and Furyk will announce their first round pairings on Wednesday. The opening round the following day will be a foursome. Heavy rain is expected on both days.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on September 24, 2024.
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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