MAMARONECK, N.Y. – As the first day of the United States Open comes to a close, Billy Horschel and
Ricky Castillo turn their sights to what is bound to be a grueling second round.
Castillo had the early start as a member of the second group teeing off on the 10th hole. The challenges of the Winged Foot West Course tested the amateur's approach to each green. With three holes left in the round, the Gators sophomore carded back-to-back bogeys and found himself at a critical junction heading into the last test of the first round. After a tough third shot that left him 43 yards from the par-5 hole, Castillo flexed his mental toughness and sunk his third birdie of the day. Carding a 3-over par score of 73 and finishing tied for 71, Castillo will enter tomorrow's round with a firm opportunity for advancement.
Horschel, starting on the 10th hole in one of the last of the afternoon's groupings, was even through nine as he made the turn. The front nine had proved challenging for the majority of the field, containing highly ranked holes in terms of difficulty. After a birdie on the second hole, Horschel faltered to the intricacies of the Winged Foot greens. Sitting at 3-over par heading into the final two holes, the U.S. Open veteran made par then replicated his Gators counterpart with a birdie on the final hole. Finishing with a 2-over par score of 72, Horschel will head into round two tied for 57.
Horschel claims the early tee time between the two Gators and will tee it up at 8:18 a.m. tomorrow in the second round. Castillo will tee off at 12:21 p.m. in the second of the afternoon's groupings.
Following the conclusion of the second round, cuts will be made to the top 60 players and ties. The 10-shot rule, which allows players within 10 shots of the lead to make the cut, was discontinued at the championship in 2012.
Coverage will begin on Peacock at 7:30 a.m. and will continue until 9:30 a.m. when the Golf Channel takes over. For the full leaderboard, as well as live scoring, click
here.
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