Sean O'Hair say it ain't so

I like Sean O'Hair. He is a gutsy player who has gone through a lot, turned a corner and come out the other side. Yesterday he shot 65 to win the John Deere Classic. His round included a fine up-and-down on the 18th to take the title, while poor JL Lewis couldn't manage even a par after hitting it over the par five 17th in two. Ugh.
So why did I come away so disappointed with O'Hair's win? Well, mainly because of the post-round interview. When told his win qualifies him to play in the British Open this week, O'Hair said he'd have to think about whether he'd go over to play. What? What's to think about? He just won $1-million, so I think he can afford a first class flight to London. Bet you the Tour will even help him with a place to stay. And he'd get to play the Old Course! What could be better? Playing in the BC Open, a crap tournament no one cares about?
This should have been a feel good story, but O'Hair seems to be another golf pro with little understanding of the history of the game, the importance of the British Open and St. Andrews. When asked whether he was going to play at the home of golf, O'Hair should have said he was thrilled to have qualified and that he'd be on the first plane out. He didn't. That puts him in with the likes of Fred Funk, Scott Hoch and Rocco Mediate as players who qualified for the Open Championship, but chose to stay home. It is disgraceful.
Here's a story on O'Hair that makes a big deal about him qualifying for the British. Now let's hope he gets his head on straight and goes to play.