Hometown Hammer seeks victory, not just experience, in Houston

Getty Images

HUMBLE, Texas – When Cole Hammer was younger, he drilled two golf holes, about 12 feet apart, into the hardwood floor of his bedroom so that he could practice his putting into the night. The rug that was laid over it runs about a 10 on the Stimpmeter. The putters and balls scattered about make Hammer’s room look like a mini-PGA Tour Superstore.

These days, it’s Hammer’s dad, Gregg, who gets the most use out of the one-of-a-kind practice area, as the 19-year-old Cole is away at college, currently a star sophomore at the University of Texas. But this week, it’s back at Cole’s disposal.

The Longhorns stud, who first made headlines as a 15-year-old prodigy playing in the 2015 U.S.…