Leatherneck swings away at the U.S. Open
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: Sports
Western Illinois golfer Kyle Peterman's only experience playing against the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson has been through a video game console.??
He's about to get a taste of the real thing.??
Peterman won a two-hole playoff in the Grayslake sectional qualifier Tuesday morning to earn the final spot available through qualifying for the U.S. Open June 15-21 at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, N.Y. The 156-man field will have 14 amateurs.?
"It's unbelievable," said the Fighting Leatherneck fresh off his junior season. "I've been to a couple of sectionals now. I knew that if I went out there and played my game, I'd be able to compete. It's just an indescribable feeling."??
Peterman shot a 70-72-142 to finish the tournament in a three-way tie with 2009 Big Ten individual champion Eric Chun and former University of Illinois All-American Patrick Nagle. Peterman, the 2008 Summit League individual champion, said a few missteps by Chun and Nagle opened the door for him. Nagle shot a tournament-low 67 in the opening round only to follow it up with a 75 in round two while Chun bogeyed his very last hole of the tournament to force the playoff.??
The players each shot par on the first playoff hole before Peterman hit his tee shot six feet from the hole on the second playoff hole. Chun and Nagle both missed the green on their tee shots and eventually shot pars on the hole. Peterman knocked in the birdie putt to win the tournament and a earn a spot playing against Woods and Mickelson - for real this time.?
"I had played against tough competition like this before, but I don't think I've come out on top," Peterman said of the sectional. "I can't say enough about the family support I've had out here. I had my dad on the bag. My mom and sister (Western Illinois golfer Tara Peterman) were here. I had a few uncles. I've had so much support here and at home."??
Peterman said the win ranks up with his 2008 Summit League individual championship when he also led the Leathernecks to the team title.??
He's about to get a taste of the real thing.??
Peterman won a two-hole playoff in the Grayslake sectional qualifier Tuesday morning to earn the final spot available through qualifying for the U.S. Open June 15-21 at the Bethpage Black course in Farmingdale, N.Y. The 156-man field will have 14 amateurs.?
"It's unbelievable," said the Fighting Leatherneck fresh off his junior season. "I've been to a couple of sectionals now. I knew that if I went out there and played my game, I'd be able to compete. It's just an indescribable feeling."??
Peterman shot a 70-72-142 to finish the tournament in a three-way tie with 2009 Big Ten individual champion Eric Chun and former University of Illinois All-American Patrick Nagle. Peterman, the 2008 Summit League individual champion, said a few missteps by Chun and Nagle opened the door for him. Nagle shot a tournament-low 67 in the opening round only to follow it up with a 75 in round two while Chun bogeyed his very last hole of the tournament to force the playoff.??
The players each shot par on the first playoff hole before Peterman hit his tee shot six feet from the hole on the second playoff hole. Chun and Nagle both missed the green on their tee shots and eventually shot pars on the hole. Peterman knocked in the birdie putt to win the tournament and a earn a spot playing against Woods and Mickelson - for real this time.?
"I had played against tough competition like this before, but I don't think I've come out on top," Peterman said of the sectional. "I can't say enough about the family support I've had out here. I had my dad on the bag. My mom and sister (Western Illinois golfer Tara Peterman) were here. I had a few uncles. I've had so much support here and at home."??
Peterman said the win ranks up with his 2008 Summit League individual championship when he also led the Leathernecks to the team title.??
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