Nick O'Hern fired a seven-under 63 to take
the first-round lead Thursday at the Frys.com Open.
The 38-year-old Australian, best known for beating Tiger Woods twice at the
Accenture Match Play Championship, made eight birdies and a bogey on a
spectacular back nine.
O'Hern knocked a 214-yard approach shot to four feet at No. 18 for a closing
birdie that gave him only his second 18-hole lead on the PGA Tour.
Bob Heintz and Heath Slocum are tied for second place, one shot behind O'Hern
at six-under 64.
Rory Sabbatini, D.A. Points, Greg Owen and Rickie Fowler are knotted in fourth
place at five-under 65.
O'Hern, ranked 102nd on the money list, needed only 24 putts on Thursday and
made 10 consecutive one-putts during a particularly hot stretch.
"The putter just felt really good today, which it hasn't been in quite a
while," said O'Hern, who had surgery on his left thumb and right knee at the
end of last year.
Still seeking his first win on the PGA Tour, O'Hern toiled through an
uneventful front nine at Grayhawk Golf Club. He made a birdie at the second
hole and a bogey at the sixth to make the turn at even-par.
"Nothing was really happening," O'Hern said. "I was hitting the ball pretty
good, but just not making anything."
That changed on the back side, where O'Hern made eight birdies in nine holes
to take the lead. It was the first time he could remember accomplishing that
feat.
"I think seven (birdies) is my record on one nine," said O'Hern.
He made six consecutive birdies between the 10th and 15th holes to pull to
within one shot of the lead. O'Hern then hit into the water at the par-three
16th and made his only bogey of the round.
But he rebounded with a 23-foot birdie putt on 17 that tied him for the lead,
then moved in front by himself with his close approach at the 18th.
It marked the first time since the 2007 Memorial that O'Hern held the 18-hole
lead on the PGA Tour. His best career finish was a tie for second place at the
'06 Booz Allen Classic.
"I'm really looking for that first win over here. If I keep hitting the ball
as well as I am at the moment, I'm going to give myself lots of looks at
birdies, and that's the key," said O'Hern.
A win would not only give O'Hern a much-needed tour exemption, but also an
identity apart from his victories over Woods in match play.
O'Hern became the first player to beat Woods twice in the format when he
ousted him in the third round of the Accenture in '07 -- a victory that ended
Woods' seven-tournament winning streak. He also defeated Woods in '05.
The wins earned O'Hern the nickname "Tiger Slayer" -- a designation he doesn't
much mind having.
"I never get sick of it," O'Hern laughed. "I've been called plenty of worse
things."
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