Tommy Kuhl was dreaming of his first US Open appearance after safely confirming his spot into final qualifying – until his college teammate uttered some words he didn’t want to hear
It would’ve been very easy for Tommy Kuhl to keep his mouth shut when realising he’d broken the rules in a local US Open qualifier.
Especially after firing a course record and booking his place in the final qualifying stage – one step away from playing at Los Angeles Golf Club in June.
Kuhl was in scintillating form at Illini Country Club in Springfield, Illinois. He shot 10-under-par which was even more impressive considering the greens were aerated.
But, as reported by Monday Q Info, this was the source of what became a big problem for Kuhl.
When going back to the course with his Illinois University colleagues to watch teammate Adrien Dumont De Chassart compete in a playoff, Jackson Buchanan commented on how hard it was to put on the greens.
“I felt sick to my stomach,” Kuhl said.
Unless a local rule was in place, which it wasn’t, Kuhl had broken the rule for repairing multiple aerated marks on the greens during his round.
He went to find a rules official, explained what he did and this led to being disqualified.
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep if I didn’t tell the rules official,” he added. “I should know better. It comes down to me. I should know that rule.”
After this revelation, another player also called a penalty on himself and was also disqualified.
Kuhl is a fifth-year senior at university and his score of 62 was typical of his current form, making 11 straight top-16 finishes in college events.
Buchannan and Dumont De Chassart were two of six players who advanced to the next stage of qualifying. They were also two of 9,693 players competing for just 530 spots at this stage.
Final qualifying will take place between May 16 and June 5 before the US Open begins on June 15.
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