Amateur's Historic Start
Amateur Ryder Cowan Takes Early Lead, Tied Second in Strong US Open Debut
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A 21-year-old college golfer briefly led the U.S. Open on Thursday. Ryder Cowan, a rising senior at the University of Oklahoma, shot a 2-under-par 68 in his major championship debut at Shinnecock Hills — matching the lowest round ever recorded by an amateur at the course, according to Associated Press.
Cowan sat tied for second when darkness halted play. He trails leader Wyndham Clark, who posted a stunning 6-under 64, by four shots. A top-five finish would make Cowan the first amateur to do it at the U.S. Open since Brian Campbell in 2015, AP reported.
Cowan Briefly Held the Solo Lead at Shinnecock
Cowan started on the back nine and caught fire early. He birdied holes 11, 14, and 17 to reach 3-under and grab the outright lead. "Through nine, I looked up and I was 3-under par," he said, per Associated Press. "I definitely looked at that leaderboard, and I saw it up there." He gave back two bogeys but closed with a birdie on the 9th hole to card his 68.
The round included four birdies and two bogeys. Cowan's front nine came in at 35, and he played the back in 33. The average score in the morning wave was 73.4, making his 68 nearly five and a half strokes better than the field, according to US News.
Cowan Qualified Through a Grueling Playoff in Florida
Cowan did not earn a spot in the field easily. He played in the USGA's "Longest Day of Golf" qualifier on June 8 at BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He shot 6-under 138 across 36 holes and then survived a three-man playoff just to grab one of the final two qualifying spots, Yahoo Sports reported.
He is from Edmond, Oklahoma, and plays for one of college golf's top programs. The University of Oklahoma has produced pros like Abraham Ancer and Chris Gotterup. Cowan's collegiate training in windy Big 12 conditions appears to have prepared him well for Shinnecock's gusts, according to Audacy.
USGA Setup Made Shinnecock More Scoreable Than Usual
Shinnecock Hills is one of golf's most punishing venues. In 2004, the greens became nearly unplayable. In 2018, only three players finished under par. This year, the USGA intentionally slowed the greens to a Stimpmeter reading of 10.5 — softer than normal for a major — to account for expected 25 mph winds, WUSA9 noted.
That setup may have helped Cowan. Some analysts argued the slower greens lowered the skill floor, letting aggressive amateur play get rewarded. Others pointed to Cowan's ball-striking as the real story. Either way, 20 amateurs made the 156-player field — the most at Shinnecock since 2018, per NH Register.
A Historic Finish Would Transform Cowan's Future
As a rising senior, Cowan still has his college eligibility. But a strong U.S. Open finish could change everything fast. NIL platforms are already tracking a surge in his market value, with brands eyeing his Oklahoma roots and his unlikely run at one of golf's most storied venues, according to News4Jax.
A win — however unlikely — would earn Cowan a five-year PGA Tour exemption. He would forfeit the $4 million-plus prize unless he turned professional immediately after the final putt. For now, Cowan is focused on one thing: finishing what he started at Shinnecock Hills, where history is already within reach, per Associated Press.
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