Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Complete Second Round At U.S. Open
June 20, 2009 | Cowboy Golf
June 20, 2009
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - Oklahoma State had a quartet of players wrap up second round play on Saturday at the U.S. Open as Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bo Van Pelt and Casey Wittenberg were all in action at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Former Cowboy Hunter Mahan moved into contention, standing in a tie for 16th place at the event's halfway mark with an even-par total of 140. Mahan opened with a 72 and before posting a 2-under 68 that included five birdies.
Mahan was the lone OSU player to make the cut. The 2003 national player of the year was able to complete three holes during his third round before play was suspended again due to unplayable conditions. Mahan birdied the second to move into red figures for the tournament and into a tie for 12th place.
Junior-to-be Rickie Fowler rebounded from an opening 78 with a 68 to finish at 6-over 146 and two strokes off the cut line. The Murrieta, Calif., native was competing in his second consecutive U.S. Open after tying for 60th place last year at Torrey Pines Golf Course.
Starting on the back nine, Fowler opened with consecutive pars before picking up birdies at Nos. 12 and 13. After falling back to even par with bogeys at the 14th and 15th, he made the turn at 1-under 34 after a birdie at the 17th. Fowler got back to 2-under with a birdie at No. 2 and moved to 3-under with a birdie two holes later. After a bogey at the fifth, Fowler closed his round with four consecutive pars.
Fowler will be back in action next week when he travels to Cromwell, Conn., to take part in the PGA Tour's Travelers Championship. The event will mark the third PGA event for Fowler, who competed earlier this year at the FBR Open as well as last year's Verizon Heritage.
Former Cowboy Bo Van Pelt also finished at 146 after consecutive 73s, while Wittenberg followed an opening 73 with a 78 to finish at 151.
