His first Tour start isn’t the only big thing happening this week for Odom, who will defend his title at the minority-focused PGA Works Collegiate Championship in Philadelphia, which runs through Wednesday. Odom won the event last year with a heavy heart following the death of his father, Greg Odom Sr., who got Odom started in the game when he was 4 and died of kidney failure the week of the PGA Works, held at TPC Sawgrass last year. “I think he would be very proud,” Odom told Golf Channel on Monday. “He was a very hard worker and that was instilled into me, and I’m just trying to come out here and prepare myself every day.” As a transfer from the University of Memphis, Odom is in his first year on the Howard golf team, which is enjoying its second season with Division 1 status thanks to the financial support of NBA star Steph Curry, who committed to funding the men’s and women’s golf teams for six years. “I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity,” he added. “I just hope it will be breathtaking.”
