Sean O'Hair has done well enough over 36 holes at The Northern Trust to keep alive his hopes of going home to Aronimink for more than just a member-guest tournament.
O'Hair overcame an irritating three-putt early in his round by driving the 12th green on his next hole for an easy birdie on his way to a 2-under 69, giving him the early lead Friday over a pack of contenders that include Phil Mickelson.
Mickelson birdied his opening four holes before dropping a few shots late in his round of 69.
O'Hair is a member at Aronimink, which is just outside Philadelphia and is hosting the third FedEx Cup playoff event for the top 70 players. O'Hair is at No. 112 in the FedEx Cup and has a lot of work to do.
"Just got to play some good golf to get to Aronimink, and I think the only way I can do that is just take it one day at a time and make it count," he said.
O'Hair has around this game too long — at age 37, he has been a pro for 20 years — to realize there is no point in getting excited. He still has the weekend ahead of him, and Mickelson and plenty of others right behind.
O'Hair was at 7-under 135, with half of the field — Tiger Woods included — playing in the afternoon.
Mickelson kept the ball in play and that make birdies easier. His fourth straight birdie came at No. 12, the reachable par 4, where Mickelson missed a 10-foot eagle attempt. He got a little wild off the tee toward the end of his round that cost him bogeys, and then closed with a 20-foot birdie putt for his second straight 68.
Mickelson is in good shape to make it through to the Tour Championship for only the second time in the last five years. It's the week after the Tour Championship that matters to him — the Ryder Cup. Mickelson failed to make the team for the first time since 1993, though he would seem to be a reasonable choice as a captain's pick.
U.S. captain Jim Furyk makes three picks after the second FedEx Cup playoff event next week at the TPC Boston.
"This started out to be a great year, and I want to finish it off right," said Mickelson, who has only one top 10 since his victory in Mexico in early March. "And usually when I have a bit of a lull in the summer, I play well in the playoffs. So I expect to have a good first two events and try to make it really easy for Captain Furyk."
Tony Finau and Patrick Cantlay, also trying to make an impression as a potential pick, each shot 67 and joined Mickelson at 6-under 136, along with Peter Uihlein (68) and Adam Hadwin (65).
Jordan Spieth didn't make up much ground. He wasted a good start with a triple bogey on his 10th hole (No. 18) when he drove into the trees on the left and had to take a penalty drop. That wasn't the biggest problem. He ended it by going to sweep in a 6-inch putt and stubbing his putter, moving the ball only a few inches.
TORONTO (AP) — Scottie Barnes hit a tiebreaking free throw with 0.8 seconds remaining in overtime and the Toronto Raptors beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-115 on Sunday night in the first of back-to-back meetings between short-handed teams.
Barnes made the first of two from the line and intentionally missed the second as Toronto won its third straight home meeting with the 76ers. He finished 10 for 12 at the line.
Barnes scored 31 points, Jamal Shead added a career-high 22 and Immanuel Quickley had 20 as Toronto won its third straight at home. Collin Murray-Boyles had 17 points and matched his career-high with 15 rebounds.
Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points for the 76ers and VJ Edgecombe had 17. Kelly Oubre Jr., Domnick Barlow and Quentin Grimes each scored 13 points but Philadelphia lost for the second time in seven games.
Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (left knee and left groin) and Paul George (left knee) both sat out on the first night of this back-to-back.
Barnes returned after sitting out Friday’s loss at Boston because of a sore right knee but RJ Barrett was inactive because of a sprained left ankle. Brandon Ingram (right thumb) missed his second straight game and Jakob Poeltl (lower back) missed his 10th straight. There is no timetable for Poeltl’s return.
Ja’Kobe Walter started for the Raptors but exited four minutes into the first quarter because of a sore right hip.
Philadelphia had 22 turnovers, one shy of matching a season-high. The 76ers' 11 assists were a season-low.
Toronto finished 5 for 32 (.156) from 3-point range, its worst shooting percentage from distance this season.
The 76ers and Raptors play in Toronto again on Monday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey, bottom right, rolls on the court as play continues behind him during first-half NBA basketball game action against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) looks to shoot as Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) watches during second-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona, top, looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) drives to the net as Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Trendon Watford (12) and Adem Bona (30) defend during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) is fouled on his way to the hoop by Philadelphia 76ers forward Jabari Walker (33) as 76ers' Adem Bona (30) looks on during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
