Former UK golfer sets sights on US Open

Former UK golfer Ben Fuqua wants to qualify for the US Open. But first, he must go to Hooters. The NGA Hooters Tour Golf Tournament in Georgetown, Kentucky, that is. On Monday, the Danville native (and KSR fan) made it through the first round of qualifying for next month's US Open with a round of 71 at the Idle Hour Country Club in Lexington. After tying with four golfers at 71 for the three remaining spots, Fuqua survived a playoff, finishing third overall and securing his place in the next qualifying round, which takes place June 6th at Brookside Golf and Country Club and The Lake Golf and Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. After a wildly successful career at Kentucky, during which he was a two-time captain, Fuqua turned pro last August. His greatest achievements thus far include being a medalist at the US Open local qualifier in 2009, three consecutive top-five finishes in the Kentucky State Amateur Championship, and posting Kentucky's highest individual finish in the SEC tourney (sixth) since J.B. Holmes finished third in 2005. Before he gets all "Tin Cup" on us (although Ben, if you find yourself in that exact situation on the 18th hole, play it safe and lay up), go see Ben play in the Hooters Tour tournament, which started today and continues through Sunday at the Cherry Blossom Golf & Country Club in Georgetown. After today's round, he's one over par, which puts him in a good position to make the cut with a strong round tomorrow. Several other in-state golfers will play for a lifetime supply of hot wings $200,000, including two-time State Amateur champ Jordan Blann, former Kentucky Open titlist Matt Savage, Brandon Brown of Shelbyville, and former University of Kentucky golfer Mark Blakefield. Do us proud, Ben.