Corey Conners goes from Monday qualifier to Masters Tournament

The smile hasn’t left Corey Conners’ face since his final putt at the Valero Texas Open on Sunday.

A week and a day after Conners had to make a 30-foot birdie putt to join a six-way playoff for the final Monday qualifying spot in San Antonio (and then won the playoff with a birdie on the first hole), and two days after winning at the TPC San Antonio, Conners was sitting in the Augusta National media center trying to explain how his life in golf took such a wild and happy turn.

Photos: Tuesday Masters Practice Round

“A crazy week,” said the Ontario native who became the first Monday qualifier to win on the PGA Tour since 2010. “I’ve had some good finishes this year and I felt good with my game but wouldn’t have believed that I would here.”

In the process, another star was born: his wife, Mallory. NBC’s cameras captured her vivid expressions on almost every hole down the stretch as she watched her husband drain 10 birdies on the day.

“She’s been my biggest fan and my biggest supporter,” he said. “I’m really lucky to have her by my side. It’s pretty cool to see her in the spotlight a little bit. Her reactions were awesome. You can see how much she cares about what I’m doing, and it means a lot to me.”

Other players took notice. It’s one of golf’s feel-good stories to have a player not eligible for a Masters invitation secure one the week before by winning.

“It was very special to see those stories because winning is difficult and it’s nice to see it when it does change someone’s life,” Justin Rose said. “I was rooting for him, for sure.”

“I’m sure he’s going to be enjoying this week,” Rickie Fowler said.

Valero officials flew Conners, his wife and his caddie to Augusta on their company jet, and his agent made hasty accommodations for their time here, finding two houses to rent for family and friends.

Conners also needed something else: clean clothes.

“I packed for a Monday qualifier,” he said. “My clothing company, Levelwear, sent more clothes."

He said he’s being recognized by patrons on the course and other golf fans when he and his wife have gone out in Augusta.

“I don’t know if they recognized me or they recognized her,” he said. “It’s sort of sinking in what a big deal winning a PGA Tour event is.”

Fortunately for Conners, this isn’t his first rodeo. He qualified for the 2015 Masters by finishing second to Gunn Yang in the 2014 U.S. Amateur. Conners shot 80 in the first round but settled down with a 69 in the second. He missed the cut but  still relished the experience.

“It’s hard to forget things about this golf course, it’s so special,” Conners said.