Beau Returning To Congressional On Sponsor's Invite

Jonathan Wall on the AT&T National jumping on the Beau Hossler bandwagon by giving the high schooler and recent U.S. Open contender a spot in this year's field at Congressional, where he played in last year's national championship.

Ryan Ballengee says Hossler hoped for an all-UT pairing but the tour won't be going that direction.

The 17-year-old hoped to be grouped with a pair of Texas Longhorns in current player Jordan Spieth and alumnus Justin Leonard. Hossler, entering his senior year of high school in the fall, has already committed to the University of Texas for his collegiate golf. However, the PGA Tour will not group the trio, a Tour official said.

Update on 2012-06-25 02:38 by Geoff

**Barry Svrluga talks to Hossler and profiles him for the Washington Post.

When the AT&T National begins Thursday at Bethesda’s Congressional Country Club, Hossler will be the youngest member of a 120-man field. Eleven of those players, most notably tournament host Tiger Woods, have won major championships. But only three of them led the most recent major, the U.S. Open: Woods, Jim Furyk — and Hossler.

“The whole experience just helped my confidence,” Hossler said. “I just respect the games of those players so much. They’re the best in the world. But now, I think if I play well, I can play with them and compete.”