June 14, 2007

Former Mizzou golfer John Kelly shot a four-over-par 74 in the opening round of the 107th United States Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., tying for the lowest round of the day out of the 12 amateurs in the tournament. He is tied for 57th place in the 156-player field.

Kelly, who qualified for the U.S. Open with his runner-up finish at last summer's U.S. Amateur Championship, finished his four-year career at the University of Missouri this spring.

Starting Thursday's round on the back nine, Kelly recorded a par on the 10th hole, his first hole of the tournament. After bogeys on the next two holes, Kelly made par on the next six to card a two-over-par 37 on the first nine holes.

Kelly followed the same pattern on his second nine holes, making par on the first, then bogeys on the next two holes before recording par on his final six holes.

The leader after the first round of play is Nick Dougherty with a two-under par 68 on Thursday. Just two players finished under par in the first round. The average score for the field on Thursday was 75.32.

Among the golfers that Kelly scored better than on Thursday included Richie Ramsay, who defeated Kelly in last year's U.S. Amateur Championship match and recorded a 78 on Thursday. Kelly also finished ahead of such names as Masters' Champion Zach Johnson (76), former U.S. Open Champion Retief Goosen (76), Colin Montgomerie (76) and Sergio Garcia (79).