From Turkey to California: Golfer survives 35-hour trip to advance in U.S. Open qualifier
From Turkey to California: Golfer survives 35-hour trip to advance in U.S. Open qualifier
The life of a pro golfer looking for status on any tour, and eager for places to play, was never more evident than Leon Acikalin's story Tuesday at a U.S. Open local qualifier at Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, California.
'Today was a bit funny, off the back of 35 hours of travelling, showing up to the first tee just completely knackered,' said Acikalin, who shook off a trip from Turkey to share medalist honors at the local qualifying event.
Acikalin was one of five golfers who advanced out of the Ironwood event to reach final qualifying. But in keeping with his current status in professional golf, Acikalin doesn't really know where he will play the second stage of Open qualifying.
'London,' Acikalin said, with a bit of hesitation. 'I might change it to somewhere here. It just depends if I get into Belgium on the DP (World) tour the following week. We'll see. It's really more to do with the schedule. I don't really care where I play.'
Acikalin's journey to the South Course at Ironwood began after he finished tied for 33rd in the Turkish Airlines Open on the DP World Tour on Sunday, earning $18,497.
'We were in the south of Turkey, so it was an hour and a half to Istanbul, then 15 hours to L.A., then two hours waiting for a bag, and three and a half hours to the hotel (in the desert),' Acikalin said.
Tuesday's round on the par-72 South Course at Ironwood at least gives Acikalin something definitive on his schedule, though he doesn't really know where his schedule will let him play for a spot in the U.S. Open on June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
'When you don't have full status anywhere, you just kind of get in where you can,' said the 25-year-old Acikalin, who lists Turkey as his home. He played college golf at schools in Arizona and speaks with a British accent. 'It's like, maybe I get into Belgium, maybe I don't.'
The fatigue of the trip from Turkey didn't hurt Acikalin too much. Playing on a golf course he had played once before, Acikalin managed five birdies and one bogey while surviving the tough closing 17th and 18th holes in suddenly strong winds on the course.
'I played it before a couple of years ago. I remember the layout but didn't really remember how it plays too much,' Acikalin said. 'So I was happy. It was nice out there.'
Acikalin's 68 tied him for medalist honors with Kyle Karazissis of Calabasas, who also is listed as playing out of The Palms Golf Club, had five birdies and one eagle but three bogeys.
Maxwell Moldovan of Uniontown, Ohio, shot 69 to advance from the qualifier while Michael Drake of Riverside and Dalan Refioglu each shot 70 to close out the top five.
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