Jordan Spieth to Play in U.S. Open

Last Sunday Longhorn Freshman Jordan Spieth was helping the UT Golf team capture its first National Championship in 40 years. Spieth and the Longhorns defeated Alabama 3-2 at the Riviera C.C. in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Now Jordan hopes to get a round of golf in this Sunday further up the California Coast. Brandt Snedeker withdrew from the U.S. Open due to a rib injury, and Spieth, as first alternate, took his place. The U. S. Open begins play this Thursday at the famed Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Spieth had beaten another star freshman, Alabama's Justin Thomas, taking the match 3 and 2 on Sunday. Spieth then got on a red eye and flew back to Houston for Monday qualifying for the U.S. Open. Jordan played 36 holes, shooting back-to-back 70's and lost in a playoff for the final spot.

Jordan will play with Bill Haas and Nick Watney on Thursday and Friday as he tries to get to the weekend. The top 60 scores (and ties) after two rounds make the cut, as well as anyone within ten shots of the leader.

Another former Longhorn, Bob Estes, is in the field. Estes, 46, played in the U.S. Open for the first time in 1991 -- two years before Jordan Spieth was born.

Spieth won't even be close to being the youngest player in the field this week. 14-year old Andy Zhang will become the youngest player to compete in the U.S. Open since World War II when he tees off Thursday. Zhang replaces Paul Casey, who withdrew with a shoulder injury Monday.