Updated June 16, 2012
After a back and forth third round, Beau Hossler finished with an impressive even-par 70 to put himself in contention at the U.S. Open, where he's four off the lead entering the final round.
"My goal now is to
win the tournament as well," Hossler said after his round. "Can I win
it? Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind. It's going to take a great effort,
mentally and physically, but I think it's all out there for me."
Updated June 15, 2012
After scores of 70-73
during the first two rounds of the U.S. Open, Beau Hossler entered Saturdays
third round in a tie for ninth. When Hossler birdied No.1 during his second
round, he held sole possession of first place. His round, which started on hole
No. 9, was also highlighted by a chip-in for birdie on No. 7. Hossler begins
the third round four shots off the three-way tie for the lead at Olympic Club
and will tee off at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Updated prior to start of U.S. Open
Andy Zhang
, 14, made history as he became the youngest golfer to make the U.S. Open field. Zhang, who plays out of Reunion, Fla., gained entry as an alternate after Paul Casey withdrew due to injury.
The record for the youngest player to compete in the U.S. Open was previously held by AJGA alum Tadd Fujikawa, who was 15 when he played in the 2006 tournament at Winged Foot Golf Club.
A native of China, Zhang has lived in the United States since he was 10 and is a student at the IMG Leadbetter Academy. In April, Zhang finished tied for seventh at the Junior All-Star at Fieldstone and finished T11 at the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Junior at Innisbrook hosted by Sean OHair.
For the second year in a row, Beau Hossler of Mission Viejo, Calif., has
qualified for the U.S. Open. Hossler, 17, shot a 7-under-par 137 during
Sectional Qualifying to earn his spot in the field at The Olympic Club in San
Francisco.
The two-time Rolex
Junior All-American is currently No. 7 in the Polo Golf Rankings. In April, he
achieved his fourth career AJGA victory at the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by Longbow Golf Club
,
where he set the tournament record with a 15-under-par 198. He earned medalist
honors at the 2011 U.S. Amateur and has given a verbal commitment to continue
his golf career at the University of Texas. Hossler most recently finished
fourth at the 2012 Thunderbird International Junior.
Also headed to The
Olympic Club is Alberto Sanchez of Nogales, Ariz., who will make his
first appearance at the U.S. Open, after finishing Sectional Qualifying with a
6-under-par 138.
Headed to Arizona State
in the fall to continue his golf career, Sanchez, 17, compiled 10 top-15
finishes in his AJGA career. His best showing was at the 2009 Under Armour®
/Hunter Mahan Championship where he tied for second. Sanchez most recently
recorded a tie for 11th at the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic hosted by
Longbow Golf Club behind champion and fellow U.S. Open competitor Hossler.