If Corey Conners had the chance to do it all over again, he would gladly do it. The Presidents Cup week was hectic. All the rip-roaring, club-twirling, and fist-pumping was enervating. But to play under Mike Weir was a unique experience. One that the Canadian pro is willing to relive. 

Indeed, the energized International team was a breath of fresh air in a tournament that has gone stale over the years. “It’s such a fun team to be part of. They’ve created a great culture in that International team,” Conners said while recounting the experience of Royal Montreal.

Weir, though, had to face plenty of questions. The decision to repeat the four groups on Saturday foursomes and fourballs was put under the scanner. Just the day before, the International team swept the Friday session to do what has never been done even in Ryder Cup and Solheim Cup history. 

But Saturday broke that momentum. Compared to Weir, who sent the same eight players on both sessions, Jim Furyk shuffled. Only five from the morning session also teed off in the afternoon. The USA snatched 6 points that day.

Regardless, Corey Conners, one of these eight players who played 36 holes on Saturday, lauds his captain. “Mike did a great job. Being able to experience some of those things was pretty neat,” the two-time PGA Tour winner said in a chat with Smylie Kaufman. 

Although Conners bangs the drum for his captain, Mike Weir, himself admitted that he would relook at some decisions he made. One was inevitably the strategy to play eight players for 36 holes.

Why Mike Weir’s bold strategy might have backfired?

Analyzing Weir’s strange move, Paul McGinley commented, “He had that after the guys were a bit tired, having played 36 holes yesterday, and only contributed a low number of points as a result.” On Sunday, only three of those eight players raked in points for their team. Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners won their matches, whereas, Tom Kim halved his. 

Along with that, the decision to bench Tom Kim on Friday also caught many by surprise. Kim had a high-octane match against Scottie Scheffler on the first day. “Of course, I’m going to be thinking about things I would have done differently,” Weir said after the tournament. “I think in my career, anytime I’ve fallen short, I’ve taken a hard look. So that will be something I’ll do when I have time to process it,” the former Masters winner added. 

Nevertheless, despite the results, Corey Conners’ words evince that Mike Weir has infused a winning mentality in the team. They are all united under the shield, as the International captain wrote in a pre-tournament piece.