After a missed chance, Fowler lucks into the U.S. Open field
Oklahoma State golfer Rickie Fowler's other plans weren't bad. But still, he's where he wants to be.He was scheduled to work at OSU's golf camp before flying off to play the British Amateur next week at Turnberry in Scotland.
But starting Thursday, he'll be playing at cool, breezy Torrey Pines in San Diego in the U.S. Open, roughly an hour away from his hometown of Murrieta, Calif.
It wasn't an easy path.
Fowler failed to earn one of seven spots up for grabs in an 11-golfer playoff at last week's sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.
He was the last player knocked out. Afterward, he and his mother, Lynn, drove four hours from Columbus to the Sunnehanna Amateur in Johnstown, Pa.
Fowler was fuming at the missed opportunity. The next morning, he got a text message from a U.S. Golf Association official informing him Shaun Micheel had withdrawn from the Open due to an injury. Fowler, a first alternate, was in.
Fowler then won the Sunnehanna for the second straight year, a huge confidence boost heading into the biggest tournament of his life.
When he tees off Thursday morning,
"It's a well-deserved trip home, but one that I definitely had to work hard for," Fowler said.
He just completed one of the top freshman seasons in OSU history, but golf isn't new to the Cowboy.
Fowler started playing at 4. Seven years ago, at a driving range in Murrieta, Fowler's former teammate, Andrew Cortez, got his first glance at Fowler.
Fowler, in the seventh grade at the time, pounded several golf balls long and straight down the range. Cortez, a year older than Fowler, introduced himself to the young phenom.
"I had no idea who he was because he looked so young," Cortez said. "He looked like your average kid. He'd come over to me and say 'What's up dude?' But watching his play then, you knew he had the chance to be special."
Cortez quickly became good friends with the affable Fowler, and has kept close tabs on his career. He caddied for him the past two summers in amateur tournaments around the country.
Thursday morning, Cortez will caddie for Fowler at Torrey Pines. It will be a realization of the talent Cortez witnessed in Fowler's early years.
Cortez played on the Murrieta Valley High School team with Fowler for three years. He saw Fowler shoot a 62 to win the Southern California Section high school championship as a freshman.
"Every shot he hit, it seemed he was sticking it near the flag," Cortez said. "It was impressive. There's no question he has the talent."
Kevin Tway, Fowler's OSU teammate who is also is making his U.S. Open debut on Thursday, said Fowler has no fear. He's won two tournaments and placed in the top eight on eight other occasions. Fowler earned national freshman and player of the year honors.
And now, after a string of challenges, Fowler will get a chance to shine on a national stage — and with his friends and family watching.
"Getting to play in the Open in San Diego, is huge for me," Fowler said. "Getting there was the tough part because it came down to two rounds of golf in one day. You either play well or you don't. I've had a great year, but it's hard to put everything on the line for just one day. It was out of my hands after the playoff.
"I felt I let a lot of people down by not qualifying at first. But now I'm in and all my friends and family will get to watch me play. This is going to be fun. It's cool."
Original Source : http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080612_224_B1_hGOLFU611515
