Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} In 1978 a young, 24-year old pro just a few years out of college hoisted the trophy at Torrey Pines for his first career PGA Tour win. Jay Haas would go on to win eight more times on tour and then tack on another 17 Champions Tour titles.
Fast forward 37-years -- his son, Bill Haas, is in the field at Torrey Pines and trying to follow in his father’s footsteps. “This is my dad’s first win and one I’d love to win, having it be one he’s won would be extra special for sure,” Haas said after his pro-am round on Wednesday.
Could he pull off the father-son repeat?
Well, Bill already has. Jay won the Bob Hope Desert Classic back in 1988. Bill was victorious there in 2010 for his first PGA Tour win. “The one that we share together in the desert is a really neat thing, and we’re really proud of it,” the younger Haas said. Bill actually one-upped his pop last month, winning that event for a second time.
At 32 years of age, Bill Haas’ PGA Tour resume is impressive. He’s won six times, including the 2011 FedEx Cup which netted the former Wake Forest All-American a $10,000,000 bonus. Bill won as much in that season as his father did his entire PGA Tour career.
As for winning this week, Haas knows Torrey presents a big challenge so early in the tour season when most players are still wiping the dust off their clubs.
“This is a U.S. Open caliber golf course and is in excellent shape," he said. "The rough is really thick. From what I see the scoring won’t be that low.”
Local
This will be Haas’ eleventh time playing in the tournament. His record at Torrey is solid. In three of the past four years, he’s finished in the top 10. Haas’ best finish is T4 in 2012. Overall Haas has won nearly $900,000 in prize money at Torrey Pines.
His father’s first place check back in 1978 was for $40,000.
