Connor aims to recapture and preserve bright start

Connor (25) made a very promising start last week at the Hero Open, near Birmingham, with 67, but unluckily faded with a 75, 74 and 73.

Six other Scottish players, including Kinross’ Calum Hill, missed the midway cut, while victor Sam Horsfield carded a 270 total, to win by one shot.

Shortly before heading for today’s first tee, Connor told us: “I’m hoping to get a good start today – that’s all I can focus on at the minute. I’m looking forward to giving it another good go.

“Obviously, I had a really good start last week but didn’t keep that form up, unfortunately, over the week.

“Certainly, the game feels like it’s trending in that direction; it’s kind of the way weeks go sometimes. You want to have it all clicking at one point but it just wasn’t to be. But, cut made, I suppose, and I am hoping to use that to get a build on some form leading into the rest of this stretch.”

Connor said he may play next week, possibly at Celtic Manor, then take a week off to come back to Drumoig, practise with his dad, “get tuned up” and head back to Europe, perhaps via the Belfry.

A rest period was important during a sustained spell on the road, he said, to keep yourself in the right frame for competing.

Pandemic safety regulations could also be a factor in some of the forthcoming European events, he added.