PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — UAB golf coach Alan Kaufman had to hustle away from the course Friday.
He needed to change his flight out of California because former Blazer Graeme McDowell is atop the leaderboard at the U.S. Open with a 3-under-par 139 for 36 holes. Kaufman had planned to watch only the first two days.
“It’s the prettiest place in the world and I said, ‘Why don’t we go out there and watch Graeme play in the beautiful scenery?'” Kaufman said. “We made the decision about a week ago.
“We knew we’d have a good time, but we had no earthly idea that he’d be leading the tournament.”
McDowell shot a 3-under-par 68 in chilly but good conditions in the Friday morning group. He made six birdies and three bogeys, including one to close his round on No. 9. But the negativity of the three-putt was outweighed by the enthusiastic feelings of being in the lead.