Belly putter creator regrets likely demise

WORKING FOR A LIVING: Inbee Park won the LPGA Tour money list and was the only player to crack $2 million. The LPGA had 11 players earn at least $1 million, up from eight players a year ago. But it’s a different story toward the bottom.

The top 90 keep their cards, and the final spot went to Jee Young Lee, who earned $68,650. Compare that with Kevin Chappell, who got the last spot on the PGA Tour at No. 125 on the money list with $647,510. Tougher still is that the LPGA has a number of limited-field events, particularly late in the year in Asia, that only takes the top players.

It’s enough to make Cristie Kerr preach about the LPGA Tour not being the glamor life for everyone.

“It’s hard for a lot of these girls. It really is,” Kerr said. “If you’re not one of the top players … unless you’re finishing in the top 20, it’s really hard to make money. Expenses are high and purses aren’t what they are on the PGA Tour. Somebody barely making the cut is losing money every week unless you stay in free housing and can get a free car. It’s an expensive life.”

Is there much incentive for women to chase their dreams on the LPGA Tour? Kerr isn’t so sure.

“I love to win. I love to compete. And I’m good at it. I’m fortunate,” Kerr said. “If you’re 70th or 80th on the money list, it’s not very motivating.”

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MOVING ON: Those who failed to make it out of the second stage of Q-school last week face an uncertain future if they don’t have limited status as a past champion. That group includes Jamie Lovemark, who won the Nationwide Tour money title two years ago, and Hank Kuehne, who made double bogey on his last hole.

Past champions who failed to get through included a former Ryder Cup player (Chris Riley), two former Presidents Cup players (Carlos Franco and K.T. Kim), along with Cameron Beckman, Joe Durant, Jesper Parnevik and Chris Smith.

Among those moving to the final stage next week in California were Todd Hamilton, Robert Karlsson and Kevin Tway, the son of former PGA champion Bob Tway.

Perhaps the most intriguing was Si Kim of South Korea, the medalist at Bear Lake in California on the strength of a 61 in the second round.

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TO THE BOOTH: Former PGA champion Rich Beem failed to make it through the second stage of Q-school last week, leaving him only limited status as a past winner for what would appear to be limited room in a short season. So what’s next for the Beemer?

Perhaps a move to the broadcast booth _ in Europe.

Beem said he has been contacted by Sky Sports to do commentary for PGA Tour events that are shown in Europe, similar to what Butch Harmon does at the majors and the World Golf Championships. He says his experience is limited, though the job would come naturally to him.

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