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Texas golfer Scottie Scheffler turns in historic day for amateur at US Open

Only nine players finished on Thursday, but Scheffler will always be able to say he was the leader in the clubhouse after the first day at Oakmont.

By Wescott Eberts
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Much like Beau Hossler leading the US Open at 17 years old, current Texas Longhorns golfer Scottie Scheffler is finding his own success in an appearance on the pro tour at the same event, as the rising talent finished tied for fourth overall during a rain-soaked day at Oakmont for the 2016 US Open.

The 2013 Junior Am champion turned in an historic performance:

He also made sure that he wasn't in position to miss the critical Game 6 tonight of the NBA Finals:

Hey, gotta have priorities, right?

One of those priorities was just getting comfortable on the big stage.

"The experience is — I can't even describe it right now," Scheffler said. "I didn't really let the magnitude of what's going on get to me. Once we got on the course, I was fine. I'm glad we got here a little early this week to get used to everything, because this is something I have never experienced before.

"There is a lot more stuff going on here than what I'm used to in an amateur tournament. We have courtesy cars, security, a bunch of people around. The people don't really distract me, it's just the other stuff that goes on — just something that I'm not used to. Getting to the course tomorrow is a struggle, because we are trying to dodge thousands of fans."

American Andrew Landry had the lowest score when officials suspended play at -3, but Scheffler is the leader in the clubhouse at -1. His round included three birdies and one bogey, with one of the birdies coming on the par five 4th hole when he found a bunker with his second shot, but got up and down with his next effort and was able to hit the short put to convert.

Since 78 golfers didn't even start play on Thursday and only nine finished, there's a chance that Scheffler may not hit the links again until Saturday, so he may have plenty of time to digest the results of that game he's so interested in watching.

The last Texas fans saw of Scheffler, he was putting the 'Horns in a position to win the national title against Oregon in Eugene by defeating individual medalist Aaron Wise 4&3, recording six birdies in only 15 holes.

He credited his success during his sophomore season, as well as his battle with injuries, for helping him prepare for the US Open.

"I think my mental game has a lot to do with it," he said. "I'm just trying to stay as patient as possible and not let bad shots, a bad hole, or a bad stretch get to me. This year in college golf, it was tough on me. I'm glad I was on a really good team, because that helped me get through it.

"Our team was very supportive and we were able to make a good run at the national championship. I think that helped all of us grow as players, as people and as a team. I think that will be really good for us next year as well."

Here's his full interview after his remarkable round of golf:

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