IRVING, Texas - Oklahoma State freshmen Rickie Fowler and Kevin Tway have qualified for the 2008 U.S. Open scheduled for June 12-15 at Torrey Pines Golf Club in San Diego, California. The duo are the first Big 12 student-athletes to qualify since 2006.

Tway advanced out of the Columbus, Ohio sectional to earn a bid to his first U.S. Open. The freshman fired consecutive scores of 68 for a 136 total to finish seventh. The sectional field consisted of 116 players vying for 23 spots. Overall, there were 14 total sectional qualifiers played. The Edmond, Okla., native is the son of former Cowboy All-American and 18-time U.S. Open participant Bob Tway. The elder withdrew from his section to caddy for his son throughout the event.

Tway, who claimed the 2005 U.S. Junior Amateur title, is coming off a freshman campaign that saw him earn his first career victory at the NCAA Central Regional and post a pair of runner-up finishes during the season.

Fowler didn't automatically qualify for the event as the freshman finished as the first alternate in the Columbus, Ohio sectional. He was able to advance when PGA champion Shaun Michael withdrew from the event.

Fowler, a native of Murrietta, Calif., has extensive experience in USGA events, having played in two U.S. Amateurs, reaching the quarterfinals in 2006, as well as three U.S. Junior Amateurs. The 2008 Big 12 Champion will be the youngest player in the field (19 years, 5 months) by six months over Tway.