June 11, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh will soon be more than just names of golfing greats for former Texas Tech All-American Andrew Dresser as he takes his game to one of professional golf's biggest stages, the U.S. Open, beginning Thursday June 12 at the famed Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, Calif.

For the Carrollton, Texas, native, it will be his first major since turning professional following his senior year in 2006.

"It's just awesome," Dresser said of being part of the event and atmosphere surrounding it. "It has been great to see all the stars and sights. After a couple days, it settles in. Now you are focused on playing golf."

Dresser enjoyed a standout career as a Red Raider, as he garnered 11 top-five and 19 top-10 finishes while carrying a career stroke average of 72.9 during his time on the South Plains. He was also a two-time All-Big 12 selection and earned PING All-American Third Team honors as a senior in 2006.

Playing numerous professional events over the last two years, and being signed on for a slew of others following the Open, has Dresser aspiring to hanging with the top players in the game and hoping to eventually earn a spot on the PGA Tour.

"I'd really like to go out and play well," he said Wednesday morning. "If I play as I should, I expect to make the cut. Then you see what happens."

Dresser will be part of the last group that tees off Thursday afternoon at 2:42 PST. He will tee off the second round Friday at 9:12 a.m. Cuts come after the first two rounds of play.