Corey Conners, right, and Nick Taylor on the 18th green during a practice round at Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, on July 31.
“Spending time with some of the other athletes, some who have won medals for Canada in the past, it’s something that’s really special,” said Conners, of Listowel, Ont. “To be able to win a medal for your country, it would mean the world.” “I didn’t see anybody that passed on the opportunity, versus the last couple of years,” said Taylor, Canada’s top-ranked PGA Tour player. “So I think it’s gaining momentum.”
Taylor said he’s chatted with fellow PGA Tour player Justin Rose, the Olympic gold medalist in Rio for Britain, who speaks highly of his experience at the Games. The 18th hole has an island green with lots of undulation and a picturesque obstacle: the Olympic rings. During Wednesday’s practice round, several of the golfers and their caddies were getting their photos taken with the rings.