SAN FRANCISCO — Beau Hossler has raised the stakes. After saying, his goal at this year’s U.S. Open was to be the low amateur, the 17-year-old now has his sights set on winning the tournament.
“It’s still my goal, but I feel like I’m in contention to win the tournament,” he said of winning low amateur. “I’m going to try and take advantage of it.”
Asked if he could win the U.S. Open, Hossler didn’t waver.
“Absolutely,” he said. “There’s not a doubt in my mind. Got to go out there and do everything right mentally and physically, but it’s definitely out there for me.”
No one doubts he has the ability to do just that.
The junior at Rancho Santa Margarita (Calif.) High School kept himself in contention with an even-par 70 yesterday to stand at 3-over par and in a tie fore eighth place heading and into today’s final round. He is four shots back of leader Graeme McDowell at 1-under.
Hossler matched four birdies with four bogeys yesterday. A 15-footer for birdie at the par-4 14th got him even for his round. He narrowly missed birdie putts at the par-5 17th and the par-4 18th.
“The key out there is definitely staying away from the bogey train, because that can kill you,” Hossler said.
Hossler missed the cut at the U.S. Open a year ago, but he will draw on his experience in junior tournaments to help him stay poised today.
“Obviously I’m not experienced in there, so I can’t really talk about what it’s going to be like,” he said. “But I know from other tournaments that I feel pretty comfortable coming down the back nine when I’m in contention.
“So obviously it’s a little bit different being the U.S. Open. But I put myself in contention many a tournaments and have come through successfully.”
Hossler was cheered on by thousands of fans rooting for the teenager. Cries of “Beau Knows Golf” and “Go get ’em kid” greeted him at nearly every hole.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the support from everybody out there. Not only my family and friends from home, but all the people in the Bay Area. It’s really special.”
george.willis@nypost.com