Amateurs show well on opening day of the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay

 

UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. (AP) – The closest comparison amateur Ollie Schniederjans could come up with for what he experienced in the first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday was getting to play in the Scottish Open a year ago.

 

On that Saturday in Scotland, Schniederjans played at the same time as groups featuring Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson with big crowds all around.

 

That experience felt small compared to playing in the U.S. Open for the first time.

 

"It's just big. Everything just feels big," Schniederjans said. "The whole setting, it's just a grand event. It feels like a big event."

 

Schniederjans, who just wrapped up his career at Georgia Tech, was one of a few amateurs to make Chambers Bay feel small. Schniederjans birdied the 18th to finish at 1 under. He would have been the low amateur for the day if not for a surprising charge from Brian Campbell.

 

Starting on No. 10, Campbell went out in 31 (4 under). He was still at 4 under through 15 holes before taking a double bogey on No. 7. He rebounded with a birdie and par to finish off a round of 67 and tied for fourth place.

 

They were the only two amateurs to finish under par. Nick Hardy shot even par 70, while Denny McCarthy and Beau Hossler both finished at 1 over.

 

"I think the amateurs are just that good," Schniederjans said.

 

Cole Hammer, the 15-year-old from Houston, had a forgettable four-hole stretch during the first round, even if the entire experience is a memory he'll cherish.

 

Hammer, the third youngest player in U.S. Open history, opened the tournament with a 77. Starting on No. 10, Hammer managed his way through the first 11 holes at 2 over, before a run of trouble derailed his round. Hammer was 5 over on the next four holes, including a double bogey on the par-4 fifth hole.

 

Hammer rebounded with three straight pars to close the round, including an up-and-down from the sand on No. 9, his final hole of the day.

 

"It was awesome. I mean, I can't even describe what I felt on the first tee," Hammer said. "It was like nervous excitement. It was so cool."

 

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