We bring you this quick, public service announcement:
Sean O’Hair has more PGA Tour victories than Rickie Fowler.
Yes, believe it, four for O’Hair, three for Fowler, who is probably the world’s most heralded golfer who has only three victories.
Yet there was the unheralded O’Hair giving us a great example of how these PGA Tour Playoffs can turn a season in one day.
Anyone seen O’Hair on television this year? Of course not, he was languishing again, as he has a lot since his last victory in 2011 at the Canadian Open. That was so long ago, Tiger Woods was still relevant. Anyone know what Tiger’s up to these days besides looking for a new equipment company?
O’Hair didn’t make it in to the Barclays by much. He was 108, at least he saved his tour card. Still, it didn’t look like he’d make it to Boston this week.
Not only is he going to Boston, he shot 66 the last round and jumped all the way to 18th on the FedEx Cup points list, meaning he’ll make it to the third round as well and if he can just keep up some of his good play, he could end up in the top 30 and go to East Lake.
Sean O’Hair, say hello to Dottie Pepper:
O’Hair revealed how one putt can change a player’s attitude and outlook. On the first hole, he stood over a 26-footer and in it went.
“When I made that putt at the first, I told my caddie as we left the green that I knew it was going to be a big day for me,” O’Hair told Ms. Pepper after his day’s work was done on Sunday and he was totally within sniffing distance of eventual winner Patrick Reed and ahead of the collapsing Fowler.
For the rest of the way, O’Hair has this simple goal:
“Just keep playing solid. I haven’t won in a long time. I’d like to win.”
With a scorecard of 69-69-72-66, he was one of only 30 players who managed to shoot under par at Bethpage Black. It was a beast.
When was the last time a player bogeyed two of the final three holes and still managed a victory?
Patrick Reed, say hello and goodbye to Bethpage Black.
So with those post-tournament thoughts, let’s review the other Winners and Losers from the Barclays.
THE WINNERS:
Emiliano Grillo; His T2 moved him from 32nd to sixth, a good bet to make it to East Lake.
Sung Kang: Shot 64 to tie the course record on Sunday, moved him from 122 to 88th. On to Boston.
Johnson Wagner: Like Kang, shot 64 Sunday. What course did those guys play? Moved from 92 to 69. On to Boston.
John Senden: Went from nervous 99th to 80th. Has work to do to get past Boston.
Derek Fathauer: Moved from 118th to 99th. Needs a good week in Boston to extend his season.
John Huh: Was sitting at 111. He’s now No. 90.
Tyrone Van Aswegen: Was 104, now 93.
THE LOSERS:
Rickie Fowler: Lost his chance to get an automatic berth on the Ryder Cup team. Looked like a winner through 63 holes, had only one bogey on his card at that point. But three bogeys and a double starting at the 15th doomed Fowler, who will still probably be a captain’s pick. But he’s doing his best to move back into that “over-rated” category.
Peter Malnati: Fell from 93 to 104. Season’s over.
Blayne Barber: Moved up from 112 to 101. A couple of putts would have worked wonders.
Robert Streb: Fell from No. 95 to 105. Season’s over.
Jonas Blixt: Started as lucky No. 100, ended as unlucky No. 107.
That’s it for the fireworks at Bethpage Black.
There’s still a lot of money, three titles and $10 million on the line.
Sean O’Hair showed everyone what’s possible.
