June 21, 2010

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. - Former Lamar golfer Chris Stroud accomplished an exciting first for himself this weekend at the U.S. Open as he made the cut in a major championship for the first time in his young career.

After an opening round 77 (+6) Thursday at Pebble Beach, Stroud rallied for a second day 72 to make the cut on the number. He shot weekend rounds of 76-73 to finish tied for 47th at +14 in one of the most daunting tests of golf on the PGA Tour.

The four-time Southland Conference Player of the Year during his days at Lamar, Stroud finished tied with such notables as Scott Verplank, Ian Poulter and K.J. Choi. He also bested two-time U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen, 2009 champion Lucas Glover and Steve Stricker, the fourth-ranked player in the world.

Stroud, who earlier this year tied for 10th at The Players Championship, took home $23,385 for his play and has earned $415,928 on the year.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell finished with a score of even par for four days to become the first European to win the tournament since 1970. Gregory Havret of France placed second, with Ernie Els, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson rounding out the top five.