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June 16, 2012

Hoffman plays in US Open

STILLWATER — It’s been nearly a year since Morgan Hoffmann bid Oklahoma State ado after his junior year ended shy of a national title.

Hoffmann had already claimed his second Big 12 Conference individual crown in three years, been a part of three Big 12 championship teams and was on the 2010 NCAA runner-up squad. Aside from a national championship, Hoffmann really had nothing more to prove at OSU.

And so, it was time for him to move on — to the Nationwide Tour.

While he may still be working to earn his PGA Tour card, he accomplished something — outside 155 other golfers — dreamed to have done. He qualified for the 112th edition of the U.S. Open which began at The Olympic Club in San Francisco starting Thursday.

“It’s awesome. It’s an experience of a lifetime,” Hoffmann said. “I’m going to have a good friend and buddy of mine on the bag, so I’m just so excited to show him everything.”

Hoffmann definitely had to earn his way into the field, too. The former Cowboy had to battle it out in a 4-for-3 playoff — four players fighting for three spots — at the Columbus, Ohio, qualifier.

Maybe it’s the winning nature of his housemate rubbing off on him that has led the former Cowboy into the field of 156 for the U.S. Open. Since leaving Stillwater, Hoffmann has moved to Jupiter, Fla., and is roommates with fellow OSU golfer Rickie Fowler — who recently won his first PGA Tour event.

Aside from Hoffmann and Fowler, OSU has six other former golfers that made the U.S. Open field. The eight representatives are the program’s most since nine Cowboys played in the 1986 U.S. Open.

The remaining Oklahoma State representatives include Charles Howell III, Hunter Mahan and Bo Van Pelt, who were among the 76 players with full exemptions. Edward Loar, Alex Noren and Casey Wittenberg joined Hoffmann by advancing to the event through sectional qualifying.

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