SAN DIEGO — A year ago at this time Rickie Fowler was walking through graduation with the other seniors at Murrieta Valley High. On Thursday, Fowler, who just finished his first golf season at Oklahoma State, found himself playing two groups in front of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson in the first round of the 2008 U.S. Open.

Fowler, the youngest player in the field at 19 years, five months, showed everyone why he is considered one of the future stars. The talented teenager fired a 1-under 70, leaving him tied for ninth.

Fowler birdied the second and 18th holes while making just one bogey, that one on the par4 sixth hole.

Having played Torrey Pines only once before this week, Fowler was asked how he was able to turn in such a great score.

"I just stayed patient," Fowler said. "I only missed a couple of fairways with the driver which is key out here, because you've got some long par 4s over 500 yards."

Playing in his first U.S. Open so close to home is making the experience even better for Fowler.

"It's kind of cool to have people know who I am and what I've done," Fowler said. "It's just a great experience. It's a little bit of, I guess, of a hometown advantage with me, and Phil (Mickelson) and a couple of other guys who are from around here."

A friend remembered: As he made his way around Torrey Pines on Thursday, Eric Axley couldn't help but think of his late friend and caddie Steve Duplantis.

The night before the first round of this year's Buick Invitational, which is also played at Torrey Pines, Duplantis was killed after being struck by a taxi while crossing a street.

So when Axley stepped to the tee on Thursday, he felt his friend's presence.

"He was with me out there," Axley said. "It was tough out there today when I started thinking about it, but I also have to play golf."

Axley played well, posting a 2-under 69 to leave him in a tie for fifth.

Getting his chance: Englishman Gary Wolstenholme showed up at Torrey Pines earlier this week knowing the odds were against him getting into the U.S. Open field.

Despite being the first alternate, Wolstenholme was given no access to the golf course for two days until Sean O'Hair withdrew on Wednesday. That officially put Wolstenholme in the field.

After getting just one practice round in on Wednesday afternoon, Wolstenholme came out and fired a 12-over 83.

A two-time British Amateur champion, Wolstenholme spent $1,200 on the plane flight, $100 a night at a Comfort Inn he found 30 minutes north of the Open venue, and $110 in cab rides because he could not afford a rental car.

With no money for food, he's been getting by eating sandwiches in the player hospitality tent.

Calcavecchia out: Mark Calcavecchia withdrew nine holes into the tournament, citing an injured left knee and foot. Also withdrawing before he started the first round was Brett Wetterich with a wrist injury.

Calcavecchia was 8-over through nine holes when he walked off the course.

Calcavecchia was playing in his 20th U.S. Open. He's missed the cut or withdrawn 10 times.