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.