By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writer
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — It began with surviving sectional qualifying just to make it there, and he was one of 43 players in the field who earned their way in.
21-year-old Ryder Cowan briefly held the lead in the first round and followed his 2-under 68 with a 72 on Friday.
Cowan, who will be a senior at Oklahoma, also had to deal with even more than 36 holes when his qualifier in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, required a three-man playoff for two spots.
“I mean, they call it the ‘Longest Day in Golf’ for a reason. It’s a long day, and you have like a week to prepare for the U.S. Open, maybe one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf,” Cowan said. “It’s hard, because you come off of qualifying, you’re tired, you’re exhausted, and you don’t want to play.”
He remained in Florida and did play the next day, then flew home and took a day off to rest and recover.
Cowan’s tee time is scheduled for 1:50pm in Round 3.
