The Loop
Who the heck is David Hearn and why is he leading the PGA Championship?
By Alex Myers
David Hearn grabbed the early clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship after an opening 66. Yep, that David Hearn. So who is this guy who had a chance at tying Oak Hill's course record -- shared by Ben Hogan and Curtis Strange -- until a bogey on No. 18? Let's find out.
Hearn is a 34-year-old from Canada. And while there haven't been too many great golfers produced by the Great White North, there have been even less produced by Hearn's alma mater, the University of Wyoming.
Still, maybe we should have seen this coming. Less than a month ago, Hearn had his best finish on tour, a runner-up at the John Deere Classic. He'd be a much more recognized name if he hadn't missed a four-footer for birdie on the fourth playoff hole. Instead, Jordan Spieth became the youngest winner on tour in 82 years to grab the headlines. Teenagers have no respect these days.
Hmm, what else? Hearn has seven career top 10s on the PGA Tour in 109 starts, but this is only his third start in a major championship. He's played in two U.S. Opens, missing the cut in 2005 and finishing T-21 this year at Merion.
Hearn also uses a long putter, which he anchors into his chest. And as you can tell by this picture, he likes to wear red-brimmed sunglasses.
Can he keep this up? Probably not. But keep in mind, the last time the PGA was at Oak Hill, the winner was another unheralded 34-year-old. . .