It was a day Connor Mogle won't soon forget. That's for sure.

Mogle claimed men's singles gold in The Challenger Showdown on Thursday with an emphatic 11-1, 11-2 victory over Matthew Finnerty at Brookhaven Country Club.

The tournament was the culmination of the inaugural PPA Challenger Series season.

With the triumph, Mogle earned a coveted PPA Tour contract.

“I’ve been playing Challenger all year, and I knew this match against Matthew would be a battle,” he said. “I played the event in Columbia and then I got laid off from my job in May, so I decided I was just going to throw everything into pickleball and see what happens. It’s been unreal to be able to dedicate the time it deserves.” 

Funny how a sudden life change was the catalyst that led him down a new career path. 

“When I was working full-time, I only got to drill three to four times a week, but after I was able to devote more time to pickleball,” explained Mogle. “I was able to drill and hit singles balls for two hours a day, hit doubles balls for two hours a day, and I get to fit in a couple hours of fitness and go to recovery. All the time and the energy I’ve put into it has paid off.” 

This win is even sweeter with a contract in his pocket.

“This means a lot. I’ve grinded out a lot of events, and there’s a lot of highs and lows in pickleball. I’m really excited to get to play on the big tour,” expressed Mogle. “There’s going to be challenges, but it’s super exciting.” 

Based out of Michigan, Mogle trained with Andrea Koop and Lea Jansen.

He credits his pickleball success to drilling with Jansen, one of the best singles players in the world. 

“I owe a lot of my game to Lea,” prasied Mogle. “I played college tennis and she needed a singles player, and I was able to keep up and be that for her. She’s really helped me at the baseline, her cross is unbelievable, and also her professionalism, both off the court and on the court. She’s a wild card when you see her playing, but she’s super down to earth, great to talk to, and great to work with. She works super hard, so it’s really the work ethic that she’s also helped me out with so much.” 

Jansen wasn’t surprised in the slightest when Mogle reached the top of the podium.

“He has a lot of power, he’s extremely quick, and he keeps getting better and better. I really feel like in men’s doubles, once he gets a good partner, he can really become a great right-side guy, and in singles, I think he’s going to start breaking some hearts,” she said. “He’s been very consistent in the Challenger Series right now, so once he starts getting to know people and secures good partners, he’s going to be a great pickup for a lot of the guys on tour.” 

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