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U.S. Open: Andres Gonzales Feels Nerves During First Round

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Andres Gonzales hits a shot from the 13th tee during the practice round at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.
(Copyright USGA/Hunter Martin)
Andres Gonzales hits a shot from the 13th tee during the practice round at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. on Tuesday, June 14, 2011.

Andres Gonzales didn't have his best day during the first round. He shot an 8-over 79, and admitted he felt the nerves during his first few holes.

"When they announce your name on the first hole, and you have thousands of people watching you, I was pretty nervous," he says. "I was expecting to be as nervous as I was."

Even though it's the 28-year-old's first U.S. Open, he has been making a name for himself via his Twitter account, where his profile reads "Half man, half amazing." His tweets are a mix of legitimate congrats to his fellow players, gentle ribbing -- he told Luke Donald he's "ok for being a Brit," and attempts to solicit a response from golf's main man, Tiger Woods.

With his long flowing hair and fu manchu mustache, Gonzales' appearance reminds some fans of the character Kenny Powers from the HBO show Eastbound and Down. He wasn't saying much on Twitter after yesterday's performance, though.

But Gonzales says fans shouldn't expect the same troubles for him in round two.

"Because there shouldn't be any nerves. I'm not anywhere near the hunt," he says. "I just gotta go out and put up a number."

To make the cut, it's almost certain Gonzales must shoot an under par round.

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