From thewesternamateur.com:

Co-leader Rory Hie opens his round on the 10th hole Thursday moring at the Point O’Woods Golf & Country Club in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

HIE, HOFFMAN SHARE CLUBHOUSE LEAD

Benton Harbor, Mich. (Thursday, July 31) –Rory Hie and Morgan Hoffman matched a pair of 68s in the opening two rounds of the 2008 Western Amateur at Point O’Woods Golf & Country Club to take the clubhouse lead heading into Friday’s 36-hole marathon to determine the championship’s “Sweet 16.”

Hie, 19, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Hoffman, 18, of Wyckoff, N.J. topped the field of players competing in the morning rounds today. Half the field is still on the course. The top 16 players following Friday’s two final rounds will advance to match play on Saturday.

“This is my fourth year here, and I’ve never made it to match play,” said Hie, a University of Southern California junior. “I really want to do well … I feel pretty confident. Hopefully, I’ll make match play and go from there.”

At 4-under-par 136, Hie has reason to be confident.

“I hit a lot of greens today, and it could have been better if I had made a few more putts,” he said.

A 2008 NCAA first-team All American, Hie said 2008 has been “a breakout year,” with wins at the Dogwood Invitational and in two collegiate events.

“I’ve always worked hard, but I have a different mindset. I don’t think about mechanics,” he said. “I’m more of a feel player now.”

Rory made 6 birdies in today’s round en route to a 2-under 69, to tie for 12th place in his first professional event.

From Golfweek.com:

By STEVE HARMON
Deputy Editor

ORLANDO, FLA. – Rory Hie enters this week’s Southern Amateur a bit road-weary but pleased with how his game is coming together.

The USC junior is ranked No. 10 in the Golfweek/Scratch Players World Amateur Rankings. During a rain delay at the July 15 practice round at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, he pointed to the progress he’s made this past year.

“I’m hitting the driver straight and long and trying to work on my pitching and short game,’’ said Hie, who with No. 4-ranked Danny Lee and No. 5 Kyle Stanley headlines a solid Southern field opposite the U.S. Public Links.

Hie, 19, of Los Angeles, is playing a busy national schedule while traveling with his parents Tommy and Rita. Hie contended at the Sunnehanna (T-11) and the Northeast (T-4) before a breakthrough victory at the Dogwood Invitational thanks to a final-round 62. A stumble via a second-round exit at the North & South Amateur preceded a T-27 at the Players Amateur last week. He thinks he’s due.

He pointed to his short-game progress from his freshman to sophomore seasons at USC. Hie noted that he ranked last among the Trojans starters in “up-and-down stats’’ – from 30 yards and in, excluding sand – as a freshman. As a sophomore, he led the team in that category.

“If I putt well, I feel I can win,’’ Hie said. “My swing is always there.’’

As a first-team All-American, Hie has landed an exemption into the Nationwide Tour’s Children’s Hospital Invitational July 24-27 at Ohio State’s Scarlet Course in Columbus.

After that, the Hie Road Show continues at the Western Amateur in Benton Harbor, Mich.

2007 USC Collegiate Individual Champion

2007 Pac-10 Conference Champion