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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Todd Kelly

Tim O’Neal, an alternate in the first PGA Tour Champions major of 2023, is tied for lead

Tim O’Neal was one of five golfers who earned a 2023 PGA Tour Champions card at Q-School last December.

Five months later, he’s bidding to claim his first senior major.

At the senior circuit’s first major of the year, the Regions Tradition at Greystone Golf & Country Club in Birmingham, Alabama, O’Neal shot a 5-under 67 and is tied for the lead with Billy Andrade and Paul Broadhurst.

O’Neal, who had his best Champions finish, a tie for 10th a week ago, posted eagles on No. 18 – he played the back nine first – and then a second eagle two holes later on No. 2. Both holes are par 5s.

“I was able to hit 4-iron into the 18-green to about five feet for eagle. Then the other eagle was on the first par 5 on the front 9, hole 2. I was able to hit 8-iron in there and made about a 12-footer for eagle,” he said. He added that putting was the key for him on Thursday.

“I was finally able to start making some putts and hopefully I can continue doing that.”

He had three birdies and two bogeys along the way before closing with five straight pars.

There are four golfers at 4 under, a shot back of the lead, including defending champion Steve Stricker. He’s joined by Ernie Els, Ken Duke and Padraig Harrington.

Bernhard Langer is among six golfers two shots back at 3 under.

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