Rickie Fowler is Tied for Second After First Round of the U.S Open

Rickie Fowler, former Big 12 player of the year at Oklahoma State, shot an opening round 66 and is tied for second place at the U.S Open in Pebble Beach, California.

Fowler hit thirteen of fourteen fairways and fifteen of eighteen greens in the round he deemed as “stress-free.” He is tied with Xander Schauffelle, Aaron Wise, and Louis Osthuizen at five under par, one shot behind solo leader Justin Rose.

Will Rickie finally win that elusive first major? He certainly seems due after ten career top ten finishes at majors and eight top fives. Perhaps his experience will help him over the next three days.

Fellow Oklahoma State alums had strong rounds today as well.

Ben Hogan Award winner and reigning U.S Amatuer champion Viktor Hovland shot a two under 69 and is tied for sixteenth place.

Hovland, the low amateur at the Masters in April, shot four under through the first seven holes with birdies on the second, third, fifth and sixth holes and was one stroke off the lead. He fell down the leaderboard with a double bogey on the eighth, and bogeys on the tenth and fourteenth to drop down to even par before two consecutive birdies on seventeen and eighteen to enter the clubhouse at two under.

His OSU teammate Austin Eckroat shot a one over par seventy two. He had three bogeys and a birdie on the front nine to make the turn at two over. His back nine consisted of eight pars and a birdie on the par four fifteenth.

Former Cowboy and 2001 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year Charles Howell III is also one over par after a round with three birdies and four bogeys.

Here are the tee times for tomorrow.