Sterling Sean rallies for win

Sterling, Mass (Aug. 10)--Sean O’Hair fired a course record setting 9-under par 62 then made a par on the first playoff hole to defeat overnight leader Shannon Sykora and capture the inaugural Sterling Open.

Sykora, who shot a course record 63 in the second round, closed with a 4-under par 67 to finish regulation tied with O’Hair at 14-under-par.

Brian Lamberti finished solo third in his New England debut. Two-time player of the year Geoff Sisk finished one shot further back at 8-under-par. Eric Egloff and Jeff Seavey finished tied for 5th at 6-under-par.

“Everything went my way,” said the 22-year-old O’Hair, who notched seven birdies and an eagle on the day, including a closing birdie on the par-5, 18th hole to finish at 14-under-par.

Playing in the final group, Sykora came to the 18th tee one behind O’Hair. He then reached the green in two and two-putted from 40 feet for birdie to force the playoff.

In the playoff, O’Hair hit his second shot on the par-5, 18th hole into the greenside bunker. After a poor blast, he two-putted from 40 feet for par.

Sykora, meanwhile, hit his third shot over the edge of the green and faced a delicate, downhill chip shot. After pitching to five feet, Sykora then missed the right-to-left par putt.

“I should have played it outside” of the hole,” said Sykora, who won the Passaconaway Open earlier this year.

Two shots ahead entering the final round, Sykora’s final round 67 should have been enough to fend off all challengers. But “there’s nothing you can do when a guy shoots 9-under on you,” said the veteran Sykora, who was looking to capture his 16th victory as a professional.

Having finished inside the top five in every tournament this summer, with just one victory to show for it, O’Hair can certainly empathize with coming up just a fraction short.

“It’s tough to shoot 14-under and not win,” said O’Hair, the 6th different winner in as many events on the New England circuit. But “I’ve been there so I know how it feels,” he added.

With the win, O’Hair earned $12,500. On the season, he has made more than $34,000.