Live from the U.S. Open

Los Angeles Daily News Writer Jill Painter will be blogging all week long from Congressional CC for the 111th U.S. Open Championship. Check back in daily for more updates.

BETHESDA, Md. – Patrick Cantlay isn’t just any amateur. The UCLA freshman could be the U.S. Open’s low amateur Sunday if he continues to carry a hot putter. It’s one of the most prestigious things an amateur can list on his resume.

Cantlay shot a scorching 4-under 67 in Friday’s second round at Congressional, and he stormed up the leaderboard into a tie for 15th place, 11 shots behind leader Rory McIlroy. Cantlay lit up the back nine, with birdies on 10, 11 and 12. He then birdied 16 and 17 and fans lining the fairways were asking all sorts of questions about him.

"I’m not sure what they were saying," Cantlay said. "I try to block that all out."

Cantlay continues to say he’ll stay in school all four years, even with his fantastic start in the U.S. Open, but when he re-iterated that on Friday, there were about 15 national reporters and they questioned the decision.

"Why rush a couple of years?" Cantlay asked. "I’d like to play in the Walker Cup and U.S. Amateur."

His bag this week says "USA" and he uses a Palmer Cup golf towel.

Cantlay has lots of family and friends walking the course with him, and they’re usually the only ones following him. He has thousands of fans now, and a big U.S. Open bill.

Since Cantlay is an amateur, he and his family – who live in Los Alamitos – have to foot the bill for the airfare, hotel, meals and such. He made the field via the sectional qualifier in Ohio a week before he was due at Congressional for practice rounds. Flights to the East Coast weren’t cheap at the last minute. Steve Cantlay, Patrick’s father, said the airfare for the family of six was about $4,500.

Steve and his wife, Colleen, run a West Port Escrow in Cerritos, so they can take the time off. Steve will travel to the Travelers Championship, where Cantlay earned a sponsor’s exemption, next week. Cantlay said for these two weeks, the family will spend nearly $10,000 on golf.

Beau Hossler, the 16-year-old Santa Margarita Catholic High golfer, missed the cut, but had such a great time he’s staying and being a fan for the weekend. Hossler is an amateur, so his family will pay a hefty price for the U.S. Open as well, a trip and experience well worth it.

Cantlay’s siblings did some touring in Washington D.C. and Virginia, but Cantlay has been spending his time on his game and relaxing. He went to dinner with caddie Jamie Mulligan and his two childhood friends at Maggiano’s, an Italian restaurant, before his newsworthy round on Friday. A couple of days before that, he and his family went to dinner with a party of 12. He has 15 people here cheering him on.

Patrick’s father, Steve, said Patrick started beating him in golf when Patrick was about 8. Father and son took lessons with Mulligan at Virginia Beach CC starting when Patrick was 5 or 6. Cantlay prospered from hanging out with all of the PGA Tour pros Mulligan has mentored, like John Cook, Peter Tomasulu, John Mallinger and John Merrick.

Steve Cantlay wants his son to be a mentor to others like those pros were for his son. Already, Cantlay is giving lessons to his neighbor, 8-year-old Jackson Rivera.

"I told him, `Pat, you’ve got to look to see who you’re going to pass that on to,’" Steve Cantlay said. "He realizes those (PGA Tour) guys gave that to him."

Cantlay has been interviewed before, at the U.S. Amateur in Chambers Bay last year, in which he lost his semifinal match to Peter Uihlein, but it makes Cantlay more nervous than standing at the 10th tee looking over water.

"This is the toughest part for me," Cantlay said of interviews.

It’s easy walking the fairways, especially when he was hitting in them Friday. He’s never seen anything like the crowd assembled outside the ropes of the fairways he walked here at Congressional.

It was a good walk that could end with him writing ``U.S. Open low amateur’’ on his resume.

BETHESDA, Md. – Beau Hossler is a celebrity at Congressional CC.

He’s held court for many interviews - including a national appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. He’s taken his distinction as the U.S. Open’s youngest player at 16 and run with it because of his game and personality. People are intrigued by the kid with braces who should be on summer break driving himself to the golf course now that he scored his driver’s license a couple of weeks ago.

Hossler failed his driver’s license exam twice before passing on the third try, but he’s passing the fan test on the East Coast in his debut in a major.

He played his first professional round Thursday at the U.S. Open, and people were calling his name and cheering him along fairway walks, even though he shot a 5-over 76 in the first round and is tied for 111th. Not bad for an amateur not likely to make the cut.

“Obviously, it’s a good thing to have people following me and rooting for me,” Hossler said. “I’m not saying I’m uncomfortable with it, but I’m not used to it. Normally, my dad and mom are the only people following me.”

Hossler’s dad, Beau Sr., tried to get him to talk to Phil Mickelson, his favorite player, in the players’ dining lounge the other day, but Hossler declined.

“I didn’t want to bother him,” said Hossler, an SCGA member. “He was eating or in his practice session.”

The next day on the putting green, he started a conversation with Mickelson and other players. Hossler did more interviews than Mickelson on Thursday, since Mickelson declined to talk to reporters after his 3-over 74. Hossler was just two shots behind Mickelson.

“They’re all really cool,” Hossler said of Mickelson and the PGA Tour pros he’s met. “Mickelson is my favorite.”

Hossler is cool, too. People are so excited about his appearance, that when UCLA freshman Patrick Cantlay walked down the fairway at the 12^th hole, a volunteer asked: “Is that the 16-year-old kid?” The man was disappointed it wasn’t a Hossler sighting until he learned Hossler’s group would be on the way, 11 groups later.

During his practice round on Wednesday, Hossler played in Vans shoes for a couple of holes because after his parents dropped him off at Congressional, he realized he left his shoes in the car. Rookie mistake. His parents were caught in traffic on I-495 – think the 405 but worse – and couldn’t get him his golf shoes for a while.

Hossler hasn’t had much time to do extracurricular activities, like sightseeing in Washington D.C, but since he had the last tee time on Thursday, he slept in, watched the Golf Channel, hung out in the hotel jacuzzi and then got a massage at Congressional’s caddie hospitality. It was the third day in a row he had a massage.

“He’s been so busy with interviews and practice rounds, we didn’t want him to be doing too much,” said Bill Schellenberg, his godfather and caddie.

If he doesn’t make the cut, he’ll head home and study for an English final. He’s already taken his finals in Latin, religion, pre-calculus, history, chemistry and modern art.

Schellenberg is now referred to as “Are you Beau’s caddie?” when reporters are around.

“Yes I am, and proud to be,” he says.

Schellenberg was overcome with emotion at the start of Hossler’s first round.

“I had to be more nervous than he was on the 10^th tee,” Schellenberg said. “I literally had to take a knee. I’m proud of the way he hung in there.”

Hossler’s putter wasn’t working like usual on Congressional’s arduous greens, but Hossler thought he played better than the score indicated.

And he aced the gallery test.

BETHESDA, Md. - Patrick Cantlay played nine holes with Rickie Fowler on Wednesday, had lunch in the players’ lounge, got in a practice session and was scheduled to take in a movie later that night.

Not a bad way to spend a final day of preparation for the U.S. Open at Congressional Club.

Cantlay seemed content and relaxed on the eve of his first major, and why shouldn’t he be? He won four tournament titles as a UCLA freshman this season and won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the best collegiate player.

Those were NCAA victories, but winning breeds confidence, and Cantlay relishes being here at one of the most prestigious tournaments in golf, even if it means teeing off today on Congressional’s ultra-tough back nine.

"Every experience helps, and I’m taking all those experiences and learning a lot and trying to grow from those," he said. 

Cantlay was presented the collegiate award by Nicklaus at the recent Memorial Tournament, so rubbing elbows with Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Co. isn’t going to make him swoon. He’s still beaming over his time with the Golden Bear – it was more special than any experience he’s had here so far.

"That was awesome," Cantlay said. "You think about big moments like that; that’s going to last for a while. That was really meaningful that Jack was there and talked to me."

Cantlay’s parents, Steve and Colleen, are here, too, in addition to some of his friends. His parents both went to USC, but most everyone in his family golfed. He started putting on his grandfather’s backyard putting green when he was 2.

Cantlay played with Fowler and Oklahoma State standout Peter Uihlein on Wednesday, making for a fine group of heralded young players. Cantlay was on fire this season, and if this was a PGA Tour stop, people would be talking about all of his wins, including the NCAA West Regional title. But at the U.S. Open, he is just an amateur with a lot of talent, and that’s the way he likes it. Besides, he plans to stay in school to get his degree.

"I’m sneaking under the radar," he said of his time here. "I’m just going to do my best."

There will be no hiding for Cantlay if he plays well and earns a spot on the leaderboard during today’s first round. Television cameras might focus on that big, golden animal that looks like a Bruin head cover on one of his clubs. It’s actually a golden retriever, which represents his love for his two dogs, Maggie and Molly. He also has a Palmer Cup towel and Palmer Cup bag, but he doesn’t consider them lucky charms, saying, "I’m not superstitious."

Cantlay, who is from Los Alamitos and played high school golf at Servite, has his longtime teacher, Jamie Mulligan of Virginia CC in Long Beach, caddying for him. Mulligan has known him forever, and that’s why the teacher didn’t want his student hitting at the driving range on the eve of the Open. (By contrast, veteran Geoff Ogilvy, who won the 2006 U.S. Open, was still working on his game at the range at 7 p.m.)

Cantlay was thinking he and Mulligan might check out "Hangover 2." He’s played golf every day for the last three weeks, and will head to the Travelers Championship, where he earned a sponsor’s exemption, next week.

"Golf is what he does," Mulligan said. "He does it because he loves it, but part of life is about relaxation. There’s something about getting away."

Cantlay is seemingly unflappable, which is why playing here isn’t likely to cause his knees to buckle. Unless he holds the lead after 54 holes, maybe. Mulligan, who counts John Merrick, John Cook, John Mallinger and Peter Tomasulu among his clients, feels he and Cantlay will work well together.

"I’m very calm," Mulligan said. "You see a lot of him in me and vice versa. We sound alike. I’m his mentor, but I’m not getting excited about too many things out there."

Unless, maybe, he sees the name "Cantlay" on the leaderboard.

BETHESDA, Md. - In his driving range stall at the U.S. Open, Brian Locke was fiddling with his belt and laughing about how he just can’t find golf pants his exact size.

The slender Locke is having a blast at Congressional CC, looking the part of a loose, calm veteran even though he’s anything but that. Fans have asked him for his autograph, and he’s happily obliged, even though he’s pretty sure they didn’t know who he was.

If the 24-year-old Locke were to become a big name with a remarkable performance in the U.S. Open, he’d probably land a deal with a clothing company that would custom-make his pants. At the very least, he figures he can use a new belt – but he’s not in the market for an oversized, diamond-encrusted belt with his initials on it, as Anthony Kim wears. He’s a regular guy who lives with his parents in Westchester and is trying to make it big in the golf world.

Locke has never played on a PGA Tour stop, so there’s nothing like starting at the top: His first important golf event is a major. "I’ve just been enjoying having fun out here and meeting players," he said.

He’s already had several of those I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening moments. Conducting a few interviews, for example, and seeing Congressional up-close and personal.

"Just getting to the course here Saturday was one,’’ Locke said of his highlights thus far. "There was hardly anybody here, just some guys putting. It was surreal."

Another was bumping into Rickie Fowler in the locker room – although you can never bump into Fowler, because in those bright colors you can’t miss him. Locke, who played at St. Bernard High in Playa del Rey, didn’t need an introduction. "It was nice to see him because we played high school and junior golf together," Locke said. "It’s nice to be out here playing with him again."

For his practice round, Locke played with a star-studded group of Jim Furyk – ranked No. 19 in the world – and Mark Wilson, who won two of his first three PGA Tour events this season. Locke gleaned tips on how they practice and marveled at all the wedge shots they hit.

He is honoring his roots by continuing to use his old, faded Loyola Marymount University head cover on his 3-wood. He also hired his longtime buddy, Mitch Yoshitake, to carry his bag. And Yoshitake wasn’t going to miss a chance to ask Furyk’s caddy, Mike ``Fluff’’ Cowan – Tiger Woods’ first caddie — for some pearls of wisdom, too.

Locke and Yoshitake have played golf together for years, especially at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades, where Yoshitake’s dad is director of golf. Yoshitake first caddied for Locke last week at Oakmont CC in Glendale, where Locke qualified via the U.S. Open sectional qualifying tournament. Yoshitake knows Locke’s game well, as the two play together as often as 2-3 times a week.

Locke didn’t take up golf until he was in the seventh grade, but he quickly progressed and became a solid junior golfer and then a two-time All-American at LMU. A couple of his former college teammates will be traveling to Maryland to be part of his gallery, along with 15 friends, his parents and other family members.

He’s already made his professional debut by playing on the Gateway Tour. He moved to Arizona and lived with a friend in January so he could afford to play on the mini-tour, and only recently returned to Southern California.

If Brian Locke plays well this week, perhaps he could afford to buy a belt. Or maybe even a whole new pair of pants.

Click here for a video interview with Beau, minutes after he qualified for the U.S. Open.

BETHESDA, Md. – Beau Hossler Jr. isn’t feeling extreme stress about playing in the U.S. Open at Congressional CC this week.

The teenager, and SCGA member, isn’t even balking at the idea of playing in front of a gallery of giddy girls in today’s practice round. Hossler, who at age 16 is the youngest player in the U.S. Open field, is scheduled to play with Camilo Villegas, the Colombian golfer who is popular with the ladies.

"Good sightseeing, I guess," Hossler said.

The Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic High golfer, who just finished his sophomore year and qualified through the U.S. Open sectional at Oakmont CC in Glendale, has maintained a sense of humor while navigating this major event – which causes even professionals to buckle under pressure.He looks so young, and he knows it.

"I felt a little awkward walking through the locker room," Hossler said after his practice round on Monday. "Everybody was looking at me like, `What’s he doing here?’ I’m here to play. I just kind of got that look, but it was cool. I got used to it. Now I feel totally comfortable."

Hossler is definitely comfortable with his caddie, Bill Schellenberg, who is also his godfather. Hossler asked Schellenberg, whom he affectionately calls "Uncle Bill," to caddie for him a couple of years ago.

"It worked out well, and I’ve just stuck with him," Hossler said. "We have a good relationship. We’re really good friends. I just thought he’d be fun. I wouldn’t have anyone else do it."

 Hossler played a nine-hole practice round on Monday with Angel Cabrera, who won the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) CC and the 2009 Masters. It was a great learning experience.

"I didn’t get to talk to him as much as I would have liked because we only played nine holes," the teenager said. "It was cool to see how he prepares for a major and what strategies he takes around the greens when they’re as difficult as they are."

 This was Hossler’s first practice round at Congressional, giving him a taste of its legendarily narrow fairways, but he was at ease and learned quite a bit from Cabrera.

"It was relaxed," Hossler said. "It was good to just get out there and get the feel of the conditions around the greens and the golf course and how difficult they set it up. It was beneficial to see how (Cabrera) makes his game superior over other people who can’t hit the types of shots he has in his bag.

"The greens are so difficult and firm, and there are very different pin locations. He practiced a lot of really long putts, probably figuring he wouldn’t get as close to the pin locations as he’d like because the greens are so firm and the rough so long."

 Hossler has a new bag this week. TaylorMade, where he gets lessons, gave him the bag and stitched his name on it. He’ll only use it for the U.S. Open, however. "I get to keep it after, but I’m not going to use it because it’s too heavy," he said.

 It’s Schellenberg’s job to carry it this week anyway. The caddie might have to use his strong relationship with Hossler to calm the youngster down if things get tough this week.

 Hossler said that he is often asked about being the youngest golfer in the competition, but added, "I’m here just to play the golf tournament. I’m just like any other guy. It doesn’t matter how old you are. It matters what you shoot. Obviously, experience is lacking for me, but I’ll do my best."