Hossler, 17, opens AT&T National in even par

• By Ryan Ballengee
• Jun 28, 2012 3:30 PM ET

BETHESDA, Md. – Once again, Beau Hossler is off to a good start at a U.S. Open venue – albeit, the one from a year ago.

Hossler shot even-par 71 at Congressional CC to open the AT&T National in difficult scoring conditions. The 17-year-old said the greens were even slicker than two weeks ago at The Olympic Club.

"They've got to be the fastest greens I've ever putted on," he said. "I don't know, maybe the same speed as Olympic a couple weeks ago, but these have a lot more pitch to them, so if you get on the wrong side of the hole, you've got no chance."

Hossler three-putted three times in a five-hole span in the middle of the round, leading to three of his four bogeys on the day. The teen put himself in position for bogeys by hitting it over several greens. 

"The ball seemed to be going a little bit longer than normal, so I was airmailing some pins," he said. "Unfortunately, that's never a good thing when a lot of greens are sloped back to front."

Hossler, who shot 76 in the opening round of the U.S. Open here a year ago, has learned his lesson for the second round.

"I had some great up-and-downs," he said, "but you've got to go out there and keep it below the hole, especially on this golf course where the greens are this fast and firm."