Article:Ricky Fowler Debuts at the U.S. Open

  At 19 years, 5 months, Fowler is the youngest player in the 2008 U.S. Open.

Ricky Fowler attended Murrieta Valley High School, the same school as my son. His senior year he earned medalist honors at the CIF Central Regional.

Ricky has always been a superior golfer. Trust me, I know. When he was still a pre-teen I was paired with him twice, and both times he kicked my butt.

As the son of a friend of a friend of mine, I am not in Ricky Fowler's inner-circle, but I do know him well enough to say that he is one of the most level-headed young men I have ever met. Now, golfing at Oklahoma State University, Ricky Fowler is not exactly new to the game of golf.

Fowler was the youngest member of the 2007 U.S. Walker Cup Team, helping the squad with a 3-1 record in the event. His rounds of 68, 67, 67, and 70 earned him a victory at the 2007 Sunnehanna Amateur in 2007. He also has won the Players Amateur, the CIF Southern California Regional in High School twice, won the 2006 California State High School Championship as a junior, tied for third during the stroke play portion of the 2007 Western Amateur, was a first-team AJGA All-American in 2005 and 2006, was named the Californian's All-Valley Golfer of the year four consecutive times, reached the quarterfinals at the 2006 U.S. Amateur, won the 2006 HP Boys Junior Championship, and the list goes on and on and on.

But none of those can compare to his debut at the U.S. Open today - and what's more, his score of 70, which puts him one under par, has him in the running to qualify for the final rounds.

Keep an eye on this young man. You know Mickelson and Tiger are.