Glover Fires Opening Round 69 to Lead Clemson Foursome

June 19, 2009

Clemson, S.C. – Lucas Glover fired a one under par 69 on Friday and stands in seventh place after the first round of the United States Open at Bethpage Black Golf Club in Farmingdale, NY. The Clemson All-American of the 1998-01 era had five birdies, a double bogey and two bogeys for his work on Friday.

Glover got off to a bad start with a double bogey on the first hole, but he righted the ship to play the last 17 holes at three under par. He had two birdies on par three holes, including the 17th hole.

Glover’s round of 69 tied for the fourth best round in a US Open by a golfer with ties to Clemson. The record is a 66 by Jonathan Byrd at the 2003 US Open at Olympia Fields in Illinois. Glover stands in seventh place after the first round.

Stanley had an even par 70, his best career round in a professional event and stands in 14th place. The first-team All-American on Clemson’s 2008-09 team, had a double bogey on the eighth hole, but like Glover made a strong come back. He finished with three birdies and one bogey. It was the low round by a Clemson amateur golfer in a PGA Tour event.

Stanley is playing in his second US Open. Last year he shot a 72 in the first round before finishing with a 78. He missed the cut by just one shot last year at Torry Pines in California.

Stanley and Glover both shot par or better, the first time two Clemson golfers had done that in the same US Open round.

Martin had a solid performance and had the lead for about an hour between 9:45 AM and 10:45 AM on Friday after scoring two under par through 13 holes. But, he made bogeys on four of his last five holes, including the last three to finish with a two over par 72 and is in a tie for 38th place.

Still, his round of 72 was the third best in history among current or former Clemson golfers playing in their first round in their first major. The only opening rounds that were better for a Clemson golfer in his debut major were a 68 by Dillard Pruitt at the 1989 US Open, and an opening round 71 by Chris Patton at the 1990 Masters. It also tied for the third best round by a Clemson golfer in his first career round at the US Open.

Trahan slumped to a 76 on Friday, six over par. He finished fourth at the US Open last year at Torrey Pines.

Best First Rounds in First Major by Clemson Golfers

Best Rounds in US Open by Clemson Golfers