Western Illinois Golfer Makes U.S. Open

By Marcus Gilmer in Miscellaneous on Jun 11, 2009 2:40PM

Western Illinois' Kyle Peterman is ready to roll with the big dogs at next week's USGA U.S. Open, the second golf major of the year. Peterman earned one of the 14 spots reserved for amateurs by claiming the qualifier held at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake in a sudden death playoff yesterday morning. Peterman, who will be a senior next year, bested Northwestern freshman Eric Chun and former University of Illinois player Patrick Nagle to earn the spot at next week's tournament. In dramatic - dare we say Tiger-like? - fashion, Peterman sank a six-foot birdie putt on the second hole while Chun and Nagle parred.

Peterman said, “It’s unbelievable. 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.” This year's U.S. Open is at the famed Bethpage Black course at Farmingdale, New York. There will be 156 players in the field and while Peterman will head to New York for some practice rounds this weekend, the full tournament gets underway a week from today. [Tribune, WIU]