Stricker and O’Hair take early lead at QBE Shootout

Steve Stricker and Sean O’Hair have not played much competitive golf lately, but they teamed up to take the first-round lead at the QBE Shootout in Naples, Fla.

The pair shot a 15-under-par 57 on the Tiburon Golf Club Gold course on Friday to grab a one-shot lead over the team of Keegan Bradley and Brendan Steele.

Alone in third, two shots off the lead, are Bubba Watson and Brandt Snedeker.

Stricker has played just two competitive rounds since the PGA Championship in August, but he helped his team grab the lead in this unofficial PGA Tour event. He chipped in for a birdie on the final hole of the first-day scramble format.

“It’s a lot of luck, making those little chips like that,” Stricker said, “but fortunate to end the day with that.

“We played solid all day. (O’Hair) bombs it so far up there that we’re coming in with short irons.”

The leaders had an eagle on the 17th hole before finishing with their 13th birdie of the day.

“I think we both hit it really well,” O’Hair said, “but Steve is just automatic from 15 feet and in, and I think it was just a matter of getting it somewhat close.

“The game plan was I was going to putt first and he was going to get a good look at it and there’s a 95 percent chance it was going to go in. It’s pretty easy when you have a partner who putts like that.”

Both have won this event before, but with different partners. Stricker won in 2009 with Jerry Kelly, and O’Hair was a winner in 2012 with Kenny Perry.

Tied for ninth at 9-under is the duo of Tony Finau and Lexi Thompson. Thompson, who played this event last year, is the second female to play in this event. Annika Sorenstam played it in 2006.

“I was super impressed by her game, all-around,” Finau said. “She can drive the ball well, hit iron shots. We had some shots into the wind today that she hit incredibly well. She made some putts today to save my butt on some holes.

“I’m happy with the start we had after a rough six holes.”

They had a bogey on No. 5 and were just 1-under after six holes. But they had eight birdies on the next 11 holes to stay in contention.

Finau believes Saturday’s second round, played under the modified alternate-shot format, might suit their strengths.

Sunday’s final round will be played in a best-ball format.

“It’s a huge honor to be invited back here and be able to play with the guys in a team aspect,” Thompson said. “It’s a lot of fun, growing up with two older brothers, I’m kind of used to being around the guys.

“Just to see their games, it’s very impressive to see the height they have on their shots, to be able to stop it on those tucked pins.”