Sean O’Hair

Born:  July 11, 1982

Birthplace: Lubbock, Texas

Height: 6 ft 2 in

Turned Pro: 1999

Sponsors: Taylor Made

 
Sean O’Hair’s path to the PGA was an interesting one.  An excellent high school golfer, he passed on going to college and instead turned professional while still in high school, apparently at the insistence of his father.  Media reports document the strained relationship between O’Hair and his wealthy father who enrolled O’Hair into the David Leadbetter Academy.
 
O’Hair’s odyssey to the PGA Tour and his relationship with his father was documented in a highly-publicized 60 Minutes story.
 
O’Hair attempted to qualify for the PGA Tour on multiple occasions beginning in 1999.  O’Hair failed in his first 5 attempts and also struggled to find any form on mini tours and the Nationwide Tour where he made only 4 cuts in 18 starts. 
 
Finally, in late 2004, O’Hair made it through all three stages of the PGA Tour’s qualifying school tournament, including the six round final stage.  He secured his tour card for the 2005 season where he enjoyed one of the finest rookie seasons in recent memory.  He won the John Deere Classic and posted a second place finish at the Bryon Nelson Classic.  O’Hair won nearly $2.5 million and was an easy choice for the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year Award. 
 
O’Hair suffered somewhat of a sophomore slump in 2006, but played well in the Major championships including top 15’s at the Open Championship and the PGA Championship.  His play slipped even more in 2007.
 
2008 was a bounce back season for O’Hair.  He won his 2nd PGA tour tournament at the PODS Championship and placed 3rdat the Bay Hill Invitational.  He went over the $2 million mark in earnings and was 75th in the final FedEx Cup standings.
 
O’Hair put together solid seasons from 2009 through 2012.  He has struggled to regain his form the past three seasons, although he did finish tied for 2nd at the 2015 Valspar Championship, losing in a playoff to Jordan Spieth.