"I hurt it pretty bad," O'Hair said as he was preparing to leave Aronimink. "I'm getting out of here, getting some treatment and some rest, and I should be out here" Thursday.
O'Hair said he eagerly anticipated the event because of his familiarity with Aronimink, the support he would receive and the fact that "I play better when I'm relaxed and having a good time."
Honoring the military
The tournament held its annual opening ceremonies behind the 10th tee, complete with a fife-and-drum band and recognition of wounded troops who were among the dignitaries.
The program was emceed by Lance Barrow, coordinating producer of golf for CBS Sports. Speakers included singer Jon Bon Jovi and Jim Callaway, senior executive vice president, executive operations, for AT&T.
Boyz II Men sang the national anthem, and officials recognized the event's beneficiaries: the Tiger Woods Foundation; the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, and the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.
What's in a number?
It probably stands to reason that a new competitive course record will be set this week by one or more PGA Tour pros.
The question is, what's the current record?
This is only the third competition to be played at Aronimink since the restoration of the course was completed and the lengthening of some holes. The first two were the 2003 Senior PGA Championship and the 2005 Philadelphia Open.
Seiji Ebihara of Japan posted the low round of the Senior PGA with a 66, but there may have been a mix of more forward tees with the back tees because the course was so wet from constant rain.
Jeff Kiddie, head professional at Aronimink, said contestants in the 2005 Philadelphia Open played from the tips. The lowest score of that 36-hole tournament was a 68 carded by John Pillar, head pro at the Golf Club at Woodloch Springs in Hawley, Pa.
Prior to the restoration, former U.S. Amateur champion and Champions Tour player Jay Sigel fired a 62 at Aronimink. The scorecard is framed and hanging in the pro shop.
Some out, some in
Three scheduled starters in the tournament have withdrawn, and have been replaced by the first three alternates.
Harrison Frazer, Steve Flesch and Hunter Mahan have pulled out of the event. They were replaced, in order, by Joe Durant of Pensacola, Fla., Matt Every of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., and Jarrod Lyle of Australia.
The absence of Mahan meant that O'Hair, Lucas Glover and Steve Marino remained in the field as the only players who competed in the 1997 U.S. Junior Amateur at Aronimink.
Contact staff writer Joe Juliano at 215-854-4494or jjuliano@phillynews.com.
