Here we go. Should be an interesting final major of the year:

1. Jason Dufner: Would love to pick up his first major after blowing a late lead in this event last year, then losing to Keegan Bradley in a three-hole playoff.
2. Luke Donald: Should be right at home in the windy conditions at Kiawah. Would solidify the No. 1 ranking with his first major championship.
3. Bill Haas: Last year’s winner of the Tour Championship and FedExCup title is one of the rising young stars on the PGA Tour.

Fairfield native J.J. Henry won the Reno-Tahoe Open Sunday night, compiling 43 points in the modified stableford scoring system that was used for the former International tournament. Henry beat Alexandre Rocha by 1 point.

It's the second PGA Tour win for Henry, 37, his last coming in 2006 at the Buick Championship in Cromwell, now known as the Travelers Championship. The win not only secures his playing card through 2014, it also gets him into this week's PGA Championship and in the 2013 Masters.

By Joe Morelli, Register staff
jmorelli@nhregister.com / Twitter: @nhrJoeMorelli

Evan Beirne has been a professional golfer for over a year now, trying to make a living like so many others from Connecticut have tried to do.

The former North Haven resident and standout at Hamden Hall Country Day School turned pro last spring. He moved to Jupiter, Fla., last November and plays on the National Golf Association Tour, the former Hooters Tour. Last week, he was tied for the lead after two rounds at the NGA Tour Classic at Achasta in Dahlonega, Ga., before finishing in a tie for 23rd place.

“I love it. I have fun doing it and working hard,” Beirne said last week at the Connecticut Open. “It’s what you make of it. It’s no different than amateur golf. You play to be competitive. The size of the hole hasn’t changed. It’s what you put in your head, I guess.”


READ MORE ON HOW BEIRNE IS DOING THIS YEAR.