Hammer ends week at Houston Open with T-61 finish

When the PGA Tour came to Houston this week, Cole Hammer seemed a natural selection for a sponsor exemption. The 20-year-old Texas sophomore made the most of it, sticking around all weekend for an eventual T-61 in his hometown Tour event.

Hammer, who first experienced professional golf as a 15-year-old at the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, opened with a 5-under 67 despite that round including a bogey and a double bogey. It did include three closing birdies from Nos. 16-18.

After the first day, Hammer was tied for 11th. According to Golfweek reporting, he also achieved a milestone: Hammer became the ninth amateur to make eight or more birdies in a round since 1996.

Hammer had a few more big numbers on Friday, to the tune of two doubles and three bogeys, and slid to a 77. He still made the cut and logged subsequent rounds of 72-73. He finished an eventual T-61.

So far in his sophomore season at Texas, Hammer has finished tied for ninth at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational and 42nd at the Nike Collegiate. After playing the Big 12 Match Play event this weekend, and finishing third without Hammer, Texas ends its season later this month with the Tavistock Collegiate and the East Lake Cup.