University golfer admits huge mistake to surrender US Open spot
By Matt Chivers
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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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
