Steve Stricker told Sean O’Hair they could really use an eagle on the 17th hole in the final round of 29th QBE Shootout.
So O’Hair (pictured, left) sank an eight-foot eagle putt while teaming with the 50-year-old Stricker for an 8-under-par 64 in the better-ball format that gave them a two-stroke victory over Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Shane Lowry of Ireland at Tiburon Golf Club at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in Naples, Fla.
“Walking to the 17th tee, Steve said that a 3 would go a long way here,” said O’Hair, who won the Shootout title with Kenny Perry in 2012. “That’s all I was thinking there, had a good number with a 7-iron in and hit a nice (approach) shot. It was nice to see that putt fall.
“The way Steve putts, his short game, took a lot of pressure off and freed me up. We played well all the way.”
Added Stricker, who claimed the title with Jerry Kelly in 2009: “It was just an easy pairing for us and we just really jelled. Sean’s length off the tee, especially the first day, really helped and I just fed off that.
“He hit a great shot on 17 and made that 3, but he played well all week.”
Stricker and O’Hair, who led after the first day with a 57 in the modified scramble and were tied for the lead with O’Hair and Stricker after posting a 69 in alternate-shot, finished with a score of 26-under 190.
McDowell and Lowry, who held a two-stroke lead before Stricker and O’Hair birdied the last three holes of the front nine, totaled 66, while Brian Harman and Pat Perez were four shots back in third after a 64.
Lexi Thompson, the only woman in the field, teamed with Tony Finau for a closing 66 and they were another stroke down in a tie for fourth with Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele, the 2011 champions who had a 67, and Daniel Berger and Gary Woodland, who finished with a 64.
Brandt Snedeker, who won two years ago with Jason Dufner, teamed with Bubba Watson for a 66 and to finish seven behind in seventh, followed by Charley Hoffman and Zach Johnson, who were eight down after a 63 that was the low round of the day.
Two-time champions Matt Kuchar and Harris English totaled 64 and were another shot back in a tie for ninth with Russell Henley and Kyle Stanley, who had a 64, while Kevin Chappell and Kevin Kisner shot 69 and were 10 behind in 11th, followed one more down by Dufner and Horschel, who came in at 71.
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