JOIN USInspired O'Hair takes sole lead
American O'Hair birdied four of the first nine holes on the way to a sparkling four-under-par 66 at a sun-baked East Lake Golf Club in the final event of the PGA Tour's lucrative playoff series. With FedExCup honours also on the line this week for the elite field of 30, O'Hair ended the day one stroke ahead of Woods, British Open champion Stewart Cink and Irishman Padraig Harrington.
Lucas Glover, who won his first major title at the US Open in June, was alone in fifth after opening with a 68. “Today was just all around a good round,” O'Hair told reporters after carding six birdies and two bogeys. “I pretty much did everything the way I needed to. I hit it really nicely off the tee. The ball was going a very, very long way today and I putted it nicely."
The slim American played nine holes in practice with Woods on Wednesday and was delighted to get advice from his playing partner after asking for help on his putting stroke.
“He's just kind of helping me out a little bit with my backswing,” O'Hair said. “I tend to de-loft the putter and take it a little too square going back.”
“I'm not even close to doing exactly what he has told me to do but it's the key for me to take my putting to another level because ... that's kind of what's held me back for a long time. Getting advice like that from good players is obviously awesome but getting it from basically the greatest player of all time is pretty cool.” Woods who led the FedExCup points standings coming into this week, shrugged off a shaky start at East Lake to surge into contention with three birdies in four holes from the 12th.