Posted on: Saturday, June 14, 2003

Part-time golfer makes the cut

Advertiser News Services

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. — Trip Kuehne insists he has no interest in turning pro, even on a birdie-filled day when the part-time player outclassed several of the world's best.

Kuehne, a 30-year-old equity salesman, said no amount of success — and he had plenty yesterday at the U.S. Open — would persuade him to try golf as a profession. He's happy to head home to his wife and 3-year-old son in Irving, Texas, where he makes a living analyzing stocks instead of putts.

"I shot 67, which is great, but these guys are tearing the course up," he said, overstating things a bit. Only eight players had a better second round than Kuehne — a short list that included Tiger Woods and overall leader Vijay Singh.

Still, Kuehne says he's here to have fun, nothing more.

"I can't compete with these guys day in and day out. It would be different if I had the dedication and the drive," Kuehne said. "I don't."

Kuehne, who squeezes in events by taking vacation time from his job as a vice president at Legg-Mason, may be best known as the runner-up to Woods in the 1994 U.S. Amateur championship.

Younger brother Hank Kuehne is the PGA tour's longest driver and led the 2002 Canadian Tour money list before earning his tour card. Sister Kelli Kuehne won the 1999 LPGA Corning Classic.

At 1-over after two rounds, Kuehne made the cut — just as he did in his only other Open appearance in 1996. And just like then, his amateur status will prevent him from taking home any winnings.

• Squeaky remembered: Watching Tom Watson and his caddie Bruce Edwards receive ovation after ovation at the U.S. Open brought back memories — good and sad — for Nick Price.

The pair were cheered on every hole a day after Watson shot a 65 and a few months after Edwards was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Edwards doesn't know how much time he has left. Patients often die within five years of their first symptoms. There is no cure.

Price lost his longtime caddie and close friend, Jeff "Squeaky" Medlen, to leukemia. He died six years ago this Monday. He was 43.

"I can certainly relate to what they're going through, because I had a similar experience with Squeaky," Price said. "I can understand the emotion that they went through.

"I'm happy for Tom and Bruce that they played well and they're enjoying more of that — more of those memories — together."

• This kid rocks: Sixteen-year-old Tom Glissmeyer won't soon forget his final putt at the U.S. Open.

The Colorado Springs, Colo., teenager knocked in a 16-footer for birdie on No. 18 in front of a packed grandstand to break 80, capping a memorable two days at Olympia Fields. The putt brought a huge smile to the honors student's face and the crowd to its feet.

Glissmeyer shot 80-79 over two rounds. The youngest entrant in the field, Glissmeyer qualified for the Open after carding a 3-under 141 at a tournament in Columbine Country Club.