‘Hammer Time’ is over at the U.S. Open. Cole Hammer, the the 15-year-old amateur who qualified as the youngest player in this year’s field, missed the cut after two rounds at Chambers Bay. Hammer finished at +21 after rounds of 77 and 84.
Hammer was the third youngest player ever in a U.S. Open championship. Despite finishing in second to last place (ahead of Alex Kim, +26), just qualifying at Chambers Bay makes Hammer one of the biggest winners of the week.
The greatest moment of Round 1 came right before the 5-foot-9, 125-pound Hammer teed off. Overcome by emotion, Hammer broke down just before he started his round, showing how big a deal this was to the youngster.
“It was awesome,” Hammer said. “All the fans were happy for me, and it was just a fun experience.”
Special moment at the #USOpen: 15-year-old Cole Hammer gets emotional right before his first tee shot.
https://t.co/8hpCTQVD51
— AtTheBuzzer (@TheBuzzerOnFOX) June 18, 2015
Cole Hammer says he often gets called "Hammer Time." Also says he doesn't know what "Hammer Time" is from.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelESPN) June 18, 2015
Hammer, a Houston native, has been playing golf since he was 2-years-old. He cites Masters champion Jordan Spieth as one of his role models. The rising high school sophomore is even verbally committed to the University of Texas, just like Spieth.
Cole Hammer: You know what time it is … #USOpen http://t.co/gcaZqYbfCh
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 18, 2015
“He’s getting better experience than I had at his age. He maybe didn’t expect himself to be out here testing his game this soon, but it just shows how the game is growing, how much better it’s getting at a young age, and Cole’s the living image of it. And I’m interested to see how he does this week. I think with really no expectations, it could help him. And on a golf course like this, you just never know.” – Jordan Spieth
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