The first time Tim O’Neal played in the Ascension Charity Classic, he received an exemption into the field in 2022
He had been playing in the APGA, which gives minority golfers opportunities to gain exposure and experience, and promptly beat a bunch of PGA Tour veterans.
O’Neal has become a fixture in the PGA Tour Champions event at Norwood Hills Country Club and for much of Friday afternoon was leading the field before finishing at 5-under par 66 to tie for second place one stroke behind Y.E. Yang.
“I got a really good start and kept it going,†O’Neal said. “I played really well but didn’t finish the way I would have liked. But Ascension extending the exemption to me, I’ve always liked this course and played well. I’m looking forward to playing well the rest of the week.â€
O’Neal was leading by a shot when Yang, winner of two PGA Tour events, completed his round at 6-under. Some troubles on the back nine kept him from maintaining the advantage after an eagle on the par-4 11th hole.
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O’Neal has played 44 events on the tour since turning 50 years old, but he never has finished in the top five. One of his three top-10 finishes came at Norwood Hills.
His opening rounds the last three years have been impressive at 68, 64 and 66. In three years so far, he has only one round over par and finished tied for eighth in 2023.
“It’s been a little bit of a struggle this year,†he said. “The more times I put myself in contention, I have a good chance of breaking through. I’ve always enjoyed playing this course. A lot of holes fit me.â€
The same goes for Yang, who has been in the top five of the tournament the last two years. He ended the day one stroke ahead of five players.
“It was windy, but luckily the greens were soft so you could shoot a good number,†Yang said through an interpreter. “I know the course well. I don’t know why but this course reminds me of courses in Korea where it’s hilly and up and down, and because of that I feel pretty comfortable on it.â€
Among those within striking distance after the first round was Jay Haas, who is from Belleville. He was 3-under at 68, coming in two under his age of 70.
Haas finished tied for third the first year of the event in 2021. He’ll need more of the same the next two days if he’s going to compete again.
“What a game that we can still do this and still compete,†Haas said. “You know, somebody asked me the other day, ‘Do you think you can win?’ I say, maybe there’s some dark corner in my mind that thinks maybe. I came close a couple of years ago here. I think that’s a big part of knowing the area, knowing the course and all that.â€
O’Neal is from Savannah, Ga., and attended Jackson State. He played in eight PGA Tour events, never making a cut or earning a dollar.
But he stuck with the game, finding success in the APGA with points championships in 2018 and 2020. He also has played on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, Nationwide Tour, Asian Tour, Atlas Pro Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.
Justin Leonard was among a group of four who are two shots behind heading into Saturday’s play. The winner of 12 PGA Tour events took time afterward to provide some insight that goes into the continued pursuit of answers to glitches in his game.
He talked about the minute details of some recent work on his downswing that resulted in improvement recently.
“Look, we’re all nuts,†he said. “We’ve been doing this a long time. We’re trying to make a living off this game, so we’re all a little bit nutty. But it’s fun when you find a few things and can have a round like today. I haven’t played well, it seems, in a long time.â€