June 7, 2007

DALLAS, Texas - For the second time in three years, Oklahoma Christian University All-American golfer Bruno Buccolo turned in a strong performance at the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier tournament.

Just as he did in 2005, Buccolo finished just five strokes away from advancing to the U.S. Open. Buccolo finished with a 36-hole total of 142 (73-69) at Monday's tournament to place 11th out of 29 golfers.

The tournament, hosted by the Northwood Club in Dallas, Texas, was a prelude to next week's U.S. Open, to be held at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Penn.

Other golfers in the Dallas sectional field included 1995 U.S. Open champion Corey Pavin and 1997 British Open champion Justin Leonard. Pavin finished just two strokes ahead of Buccolo while Leonard finished five shots ahead of the OC junior.

Leonard competed in the same group as Buccolo.

"I would grade the experience as a 10," Buccolo said. "Justin Leonard was a really nice guy. He gave me some good advice and it helped that I played so well. I didn't feel any pressure, I just played and it was a lot of fun."

OC golf coach David Lynn served as Buccolo's caddie for the day. For Lynn, the experience was equally memorable.

"One time when I counted, there were 50 people following our group. Bruno was teeing off with cameras in his face and it didn't seem to faze him," Lynn said. "It was really cool to look over and see Justin Leonard, then see Corey Pavin and Tommy Armour III on the next tee box."

Buccolo, who finished second among all amateurs in the sectional field, is used to competing against professionals in his home country of Argentina.

"I think that helped me a little bit. It wasn't my first time to play in front of a crowd," Buccolo said.

Buccolo is a three-time NAIA first-team All-American at Oklahoma Christian. He also earned GCAA Ping All-America and NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors this year.