June 17, 2009

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The U.S. Open will have a small, but distinct Lamar University and Southeast Texas feel to it this weekend. Former Cardinals Shawn Stefani and Chris Stroud both emerged from local and sectional qualifying stages to earn invitations to the event, held this weekend at Bethpage State Park - Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y.

Stefani has played on the Hooters Tour since his time at Lamar ended in 2005. He picked up medalist honors at the Northwood Club sectional in Dallas on June 6, carding a 7-under 135 to earn his first U.S. Open trip.

This may be his first U.S. Open experience but not his first in a USGA national championship. He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 2002 where he tied for 155th after stroke play.

The Barbers Hill graduate nearly qualified for the 2007 U.S. Open, but was beaten out by Hunter Mahan's course-record 63 at Northwood Club. His girlfriend will be on the bag for him as his caddie this week.

Stroud also emerged from both rounds of qualifying to earn one of the 156 spots. He qualified at the Memphis, Tenn., sectional with a 6-under 136 total. He is making his third-consecutive U.S. Open appearance after missing the cut at Oakmont in 2007 and Torrey Pines last year.

The Nederland native has earned more than $380,000 on tour this year with nine cuts made in 16 events. He ranks 111th on the PGA Tour money list.

Stroud and Stefani, who were teammates at Lamar from 2003-04, played a practice round together on Tuesday, along with Kenny Perry and J.B. Holmes.

Stefani will be paired with amateur Matt Nagy and New Zealander Douglas Batty in the first two rounds. Thursday they will tee things up at 1:42 p.m. on No. 1. The group will go off No. 10 at 8:12 a.m. on Friday.

Stroud will also have a long wait before hitting his first drive on Thursday. Paired with Brian Gay, who won the St. Jude Classic last week, and Andrew McLardy of South Africa, he's in the second to last group out at 1:20 p.m. on the 10th hole. He'll be back early Friday for a 7:50 start on No. 1.