The Loop

Charlie Danielson, a senior at Illinois, among first-round leaders at Northern Trust Open

February 18, 2016

This time of year, most college seniors are planning spring break trips or attending basketball games. Charlie Danielson is spending February in a slightly different fashion:

Hanging around the leader board at the Northern Trust Open.

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Danielson, a product of the University of Illinois, logged seven birdies on Thursday to shoot a four-under 67 at Riviera Country Club. He entered the clubhouse one back of first-round leaders Chez Reavie and Bubba Watson.

A three-time All-American at Champaign, Danielson earned a spot in the field by winning the College Showcase event on Monday. Talking with the press, Danielson didn't convey a deer-in-the-spotlight cadence.

"I'm just going to try to take it one shot at a time, learn about as much as I can while I'm out here and go into it with no expectations," he said on Wednesday. "When you have expectations to make the cut or to try to take a top-10 or something, you can let yourself down very easy.

"I'm just going to try to go out, have some fun, just enjoy the week as much as I can and hopefully I'm around all weekend and can shoot some good scores."

If he keeps up Thursday's performance, he'll be doing more than just sticking around.

Not bad, for a college kid.