University of Florida rising sophomore Billy Horschel (Grant, Fla.) joined the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples on Tuesday when he captured the individual medal at the 106th U.S. Amateur Championship with a two-day score of 60-78 = 138 (-5).

 

Horschel, who claimed medalist honors at the 2006 NCAA West Regional, is the first Gator to earn the individual medal at the U.S. Amateur since Brian Gay did so in 1993 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. On Monday, Horschel stole the show at the country’s oldest golf championship, as he set the tournament records for lowest 18 holes and lowest first round with a 60 (-11) on Chaska Town Course. His first-round score was not only an 18-hole U.S. Amateur record, but also a USGA championship record. The previous mark was 62, set by Loren Roberts at this year’s U.S. Senior Open and Christina Kim at the 2001 U.S. Girls’ Junior.

 

“Being in the company of the guys who have won the medal at this tournament before is something special,” Horschel said. “To be the top guy out of 311 golfers feels amazing. I’m not in shock, but I’m overcome with joy.”

 

“I didn’t approach this tournament like I was happy to be here. I practiced hard and worked on my game. So far, it’s paid off.”

 

Starting from Hazeltine’s first hole, Horschel managed a birdie on the par-five seventh hole and made the turn at +5 for the round. The 2006 PING first-team All-American has shown an adept touch on the par-fives so far at the Championship, playing them at -5 with three birdies and an eagle.

 

On the back nine, Horschel tempered two bogeys with a birdie on the 11th hole and six pars to head into the clubhouse with a round of 78 (+6) and the lead at 138 (-5). His birdie on the par-five 11th was his second on that hole in as many days.

 

Incoming freshman Andres Echavarria (Medellin, Colombia) posted his second consecutive round of two-over golf on Tuesday, continuing his solid run at the Championship. Starting on the front nine at Chaska, he was able to make the turn a -1 for the round after collecting birdies on holes two and three and bogeying the ninth. The highlight of the back nine for Echavarria came on the par-five 15th, which he birdied to drop to -1 on par-fives for the tournament. He entered the clubhouse with a two-day score of 147 (+4), which tied him for 55th and put him just ahead of the cut.

 

Both Horschel and Echavarria will begin match play on Wednesday. Pairings have yet to be announced.

 

For complete tournament information, including live scoring, please visit the Official Website Of The 2006 U.S. Amateur. The par for Hazeltine is 72, while Chaska Town Course is playing at par 71 this week.

 

Top-10 Individuals Through Round Two

 

1. Billy Horschel (United States)	60*-78 (-5)
2. Mark Harrell (United States)	66-74 (-3)
T3. Greg Machtaler (Canada)	74-67 (-2)
T3. Kyle Davis (United States)	68-73 (-2)
T5. Beck Troutman (United States)	69-73 (-1)
T5. Bronson La’Cassie (Australia)	74-68 (-1)
T5. Pablo Martin (Spain)	72-70 (-1)
T5. Eddie Olson (United States)	66-76 (-1)
T5. Jeff Bell (United States)	72-70 (-1)
T5. Alex Prugh (United States)	74-68 (-1)
T5. Oliver Fisher (England)	72-70 (-1)

                                                                             

 

Florida Players Through Round Two

 

1. Billy Horschel (United States)	60*-78 (-5)
T55. Andres Echavarria (Colombia)	74-73 (+4)
T266. Buddy Alexander (United States)	79-80 (+16)

 

*18-hole tournament and USGA-record score

 

 

-UF-