Beau Hossler Is Young, Has Braces

As we await the final round of the 2012 U.S. Open, the story of the week has been the young amateur Beau Hossler. He is a 17-year-old junior from Santa Margarita High and he is tied for eighth, four off the lead. There's a lot to say about a performance like this on a course that is humbling the best golfers in the world. Prop yourselves up against something sturdy as we take a look at what everyone is talking about.

At 17, Beau Hossler braces for success [Sacbee]

The 17-year-old with the braces on his teeth is a rock star now, the Justin Bieber of the sports world.

U.S. Open: Teen Beau Hossler stays in contention [Mercury News]

Beau Hossler now officially means business.

The 17-year-old Orange County kid with a mouth full of braces had repeated his U.S. Open goal all week: be the low amateur at Olympic Club.

Teenager Beau Hossler takes U.S. Open by storm as 17-year-old enters final round just four shots behind co-leaders [NY Daily News]

Seventeen-year-old Beau Hossler has his sights set a little bit higher going into the final round of the U.S. Open.

"I still have the goal to be low amateur, but my goal now is to win the tournament," he said through his braces.

The Teenager Atop the Open Leaderboard [WSJ]

The teen with the braces has been consistent, shooting even Thursday and one-under through 11 holes Friday.

Woods, Furyk, Toms share U.S. Open lead [USA Today]

Beau Hossler, a braces-wearing, fresh-faced lad all of 17 years old, ignited midday buzz around the rugged Lake Course at venerable Olympic Club on Friday in the second round of the 112th U.S. Open.

Beau Hossler shows poise well beyond his 17 years [GolfDigest]

Through 11 holes Friday, the 17-year-old from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., sat at two under for the championship, gaining a new legion of fans as the high school junior claimed a one-stroke lead over Jim Furyk and Tiger Woods and looked more at ease than anyone wearing braces has any right to be when playing a major championship.

Forget Feel-Good Story: 17-Year-Old Aims to Win [NY Times]

He did a national television interview and, in a quieter moment with reporters, was asked if he could indeed win the Open.

"Absolutely," he said, barely flashing a smile that showed off his braces.

Teen amateur Beau Hossler believes he can win US Open; within 4 of lead after even-par round [Star Tribune]

While fans would serenade Mickelson with a chorus of "Happy Birthday" when he finished No. 18, they gave the kid in braces a standing ovation, shouting "Hook `Em Hossler" for his commitment to play at Texas in 2013

Beau knows Opens; no 10-shot rule news to players [AP]

Then, the 17-year-old in braces shot an even-par 70 at Olympic Club in the first round Thursday and was six shots better than Mickelson, a four-time major champion.

Man, this has been like pulling teeth.

Image via Getty