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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. - Bakerton native David Bradshaw has played in four PGA Tour events and said this is the first time he's actually playing well.
Hurricane's Sam O'Dell won the State Amateur last month and had a hole in one during the Pro-Am at the Sporting Club's Snead Course on Wednesday.
Bradshaw, the PGA Tour Canada player, and O'Dell, the low-key dentist from Putnam County, will try to buck the odds when the Greenbrier Classic unfolds today at the Old White TPC with their eyes on making the cut.
"I played well (on Wednesday)," said O'Dell, who struggled during a practice round on the Old White on Tuesday. "Jimmy (Harrison), my caddie, showed me a video to see how much I was holding back. I started hitting it and hit it way better (Wednesday)."
O'Dell is a two-time State Amateur champion and is the sixth player from the West Virginia Golf Association's signature event to participate in the Mountain State's PGA Tour event. Jonathan Bartlett, the first recipient of the Amateur exemption, made the first cut at the Greenbrier in 2010, but missed the second. Christian Brand (2011), Jess Ferrell (2012), Pat Carter (2013) and Brian Anania (2014) missed the cut in the ensuing tournaments.
Much like the previous amateurs, O'Dell is confident with much of it deriving from his knowledge of the par 70, 7,287-yard Charles Blair Macdonald-designed court.
Additionally, he played the last four holes on Wednesday at 4-under with the hole in one eagle on the 128-yard, par 3 No. 15 and birdies on 16 and 18.
"I had about two hours (Tuesday) where I was not comfortable," O'Dell said. "I wasn't good at all. I worried for about two hours. I'll be nervous, but I feel much better."
This is the first PGA Tour event for O'Dell, who said the "experience is amazing," but he isn't getting too caught up in the moment to lose sight of the goal.
"It's almost starting to feel a little normal," he said. "Honestly, it's not (normal), but it's pretty neat."
For Bradshaw's part, his four PGA Tour appearances came via Monday qualifiers, but this is the first time he actually feels as if he's playing well.
The one club that has always held him back, his putter, has become his ally.
"I played a practice round on Tuesday and played really well," said Bradshaw, who played with John Huh and one hole with defending champion Angel Cabrera. "I hit the ball well, I putted the ball well. I felt pretty comfortable on the golf course."
The 32-year-old Bradshaw hadn't seen the Old White since 2002 when he finished fourth in the State Amateur.
Familiarity aside, Bradshaw said when he twice qualified for the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (2009, '11), the Honda Classic ('11) and the Tampa Bay Championship ('13) he wasn't at his best.
"I went to New Orleans (in 2011), played awful, and shot a 64," he said of the Monday qualifier. "I had no business playing in that PGA Tour event. None."
One of the changes he made was the setup over his putter, suggestions made by Spencer Reynolds, an instructor for Scotty Cameron.
He changed the grip and the shafting in Bradshaw's putter and also changed the way holds the club.
"I've never been a good putter, never," he said. "Even from my high school years to now. It's always been the putter that has kept me from succeeding in golf."
Both players hope to play through the weekend, but Bradshaw is realistic.
"The goal is to win, but I've never made the cut on the PGA Tour," Bradshaw said. "Is it really going to happen? The odds have to be astronomical."
Only two players from the Monday qualifier have made the cut at the Greenbrier Classic and both came in 2011. Steve Allan, who played 208 PGA Tour events since his first in 1996, finished in a tie for 56 that year. Andre Stolz, who won the 2004 Michelin Championship for his lone PGA Tour victory in 36 starts since 2003, was tied for 49.
Contact Assistant Sports Editor Rich Stevens at richstevens@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-4837. Follow him on Twitter @richdailymail