Oklahoma State University Athletics
Six Cowboys Compete During Day One At U.S. Open
June 16, 2008 | Cowboy Golf
In his first-ever start at the event, the sophomore-to-be stole the show after breaking par at the par-71, 7,643-yard layout. Competing just an hour from his hometown of Murrieta, Fowler fired a 1-under 70 to come in tied with four players for seventh place. The 2008 Ben Hogan Award winner was one of just 11 players to break par on the day. Fowler will enter play on Friday two shots off the pace of co-leaders Justin Hicks and Kevin Streelman.
“The last time I got to play in front of a home crowd I struggled during both rounds, so I am pleased that I played solid throughout the day,” Fowler said. “I came out today and hit a really good tee shot on No. 1 and that calmed me down. I also played with a couple of my Walker Cup teammates (Chris Kirk and Dustin Johnson) and that helped with my nerves as well.”
Fowler opened with a par before making birdie at the par-4 second followed by three consecutive pars. He then sandwiched another birdie between a pair of bogeys on Nos. 6, 7 and 8 to turn at even par. Fowler moved to 1-over with a bogey on his 12th hole, but played his final five holes 2-under with birdies at Nos. 14 and 18.
Former Cowboys Casey Wittenberg, Scott Verplank and Hunter Mahan all came in among the group tied for 19th place at 1-over 72.
Fowler is not the only current OSU standout in the field, as classmate Kevin Tway finished the day tied for 64th place with a 75. The Edmond, Okla., native was able to overcome a pair of double bogeys on the day with four birdies, including two over his final three holes, to move up the leaderboard.
Joining Tway at 4-over was former Cowboy Charles Howell III.
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
