The Loop
Haas hoping to add to a memorable year for his family
SAN FRANCISCO -- What has already been a fantastic fall for the Haas family could get even better.
Jay Haas shot a three-under 68 Thursday at TPC Harding Park to share the first-round lead of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship with good friend Fred Couples, putting himself in good position to join son Bill in picking off a big late-season victory.
"I don't want to talk about Bill today," Jay joked to reporters after the round. "It's about me today."
Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images
Bill Haas won the Tour Championship at East Lake and claimed the lucrative FedEx Cup in the process, an accomplishment that Jay has been reminded about often. "So many people this week have been saying congratulations to me, and everybody I have seen since then seemed like they congratulated me on Bill's victory," Jay said. "Everyone in our family had a glow for two or three weeks after that."
Jay downplayed the inspirational effect of Bill's win, saying he had been working hard on his game lately, including a session with instructor Billy Harmon Tuesday at Harding Park. "I have been wanting to finish off the year on a good note," said Jay. "I feel pretty good about the way I've been playing at home, so I was anxious to get out here."
Like Jay, who will be an assistant captain for Couples at the Presidents Cup in two weeks, Harmon will be traveling to Royal Melbourne. The wife of Jay Haas Jr., who has been caddieing for Bill, is expecting a baby "any day now," so Harmon will caddie for Bill at the Presidents Cup. "I wouldn't have minded caddieing down there," Jay said, "but Freddie and I might need to do a few more things."
-- Bill Fields