Ricky Barnes Leads the U.S. Open at Bethpage Black

(Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Grinding, grinding, and more grinding it out trying to make it to this stage in his golfing career.

After a T59 finish at Olympia Fields, he played in the British Open and missed the cut.

After turning professional he managed to play in six more tournaments and missed all six cuts.

He went from college prodigy to playing less PGA Tour events and more Nationwide Tour events, and then exclusively Nationwide Tour events.

But he kept grinding over the years, playing full time on the Nationwide Tour and keeping the dream alive. The progression: 2004- 15 starts; 2005- 16 starts; 2006- 28 starts and T86 at Q-School; 2007- 30 starts; 2008- 26 starts.

He was PGA Tour-driven, as the slogan goes.

Finally, he made it, and just barely, as a rookie on the PGA Tour after placing 25th on the 2008 Nationwide Tour money list.

Only the top 25 receive PGA Tour cards.

Now he plays exclusively on the PGA Tour.

He has not won anything except that 2002 U.S. Amateur.

No PGA Tour victories, no Nationwide Tour victories.

Now he is leading the U.S. Open at the midpoint, after following an opening round 67 with a 65.

The first question in his first interview yesterday at Bethpage?

What does setting the scoring record for 36 holes at a U.S. Open mean to him?

How about: Where have you been Ricky Barnes?

Good to see you again.

His response to the question?

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