Kevin Streelman shows why golf's Cinderella stories are usually a waste of time with his U.S. Open second round

LA JOLLA, Calif. (June 13, 2008) - Kevin Streelman is one of the better stories in golf, a tale that average people (you know the type that get bused in all the way from the San Diego Chargers stadium just to pay big money to watch the U.S. Open while never complaining like the media often does) can relate with. A career mini tour player, the 29-year-old Streelman finally found his way onto the PGA Tour this year. And he’s done relatively well, making nine cuts in 16 events, pocketing $219,164.

Sure, that’s tip money to someone like Phil Mickelson or Ernie Els. But it’s more than 10 times Streelman’s career Tour earnings coming into the year.

Even with that modicum of success though, Streelman faces an steep uphill battle to not slide right back into the Mini Tour level. He’s 151st on the money list right now, 142nd in FedEx Cup points. Which is what makes this U.S. Open so important for him. He desperately needs a nice finish to help keep the mini tour life at bay.

Being tied for the lead going after the first round was great, storybook even. But would have meant little if Streelman steamed away in a train crash. It looked like he would early today though. Then it looked like he’d be all right.

Teeing off less than 12 hours after he left the course Thursday night, Streelman found lots of bogey trouble early. He righted himself though and while still three over for the day heading into 15, he stood at even par for the Open and all but assured himself of making the cut - barring some monumental stretch collapse.

While it wasn’t monumental, it was petty close.

Streelman went three over in those last four holes, give him a not-so-nifty 6-over 77. He still should make the cut at 3-over for the Open, but it’s just another example of how it’s foolish to get too invested in these early-round, never-stick-around leaders at the majors.