Gay's Good Luck at Heritage

Gay's Good Luck at Heritage

Gay said trips to Hilton Head Island cause him to think back to his memorable 2009 championship, in which he blistered the field to a Heritage record 10-stroke victory. Wearing the same shade of bright green pants he sported Thursday -- and yes, Putter Will Be The Key Factor If Woods Wins Again he is superstitious -- Gay shot a 7-under 64 in the final round of 2009 to finish at 20-under par, also a tournament record.

He finished in a tie for 32nd place last season, but he hasn't forgotten what carried him two years ago.Two years after winning the Heritage in record-breaking fashion, Brian Gay put himself on solid footing Thursday to contend for another tartan jacket. And a comfortable one. Gay called Harbour Town his favorite course on the PGA Tour, saying it has the feeling of home. It felt more and more cozy as his opening round progressed Thursday.Gay played 1-under par for the first four holes, then eagled No. 5. He stuck his 228-yard second shot 16 feet from the pin and made the ensuing putt for eagle on the par 5. Gay said the shot jump-started his round, and he followed with three more birdies over the next seven holes. He bogeyed the par-3 17th, but it was his only blunder of the day. Gay has finished among the top 25 in six of the nine events he's played this year, including fifth-place finishes at the Bob Hope Classic in January and the Mayakoba Golf Classic at Riviera Maya-Cancun in February. A fine line, he said, can propel him to the top of the leaderboard.