15-year-old Cole Hammer excited to be on the U.S. Open stage
UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. — Go ahead. You know you want to say it.
It's Hammer Time.
For 15-year-old U.S. Open qualifier Cole Hammer, it's something he's hearing a lot this week.
"A lot of people on the golf course call me Hammer Time sometimes," Hammer said Tuesday at Chambers Bay. "I think they like to have a little fun with my last name. But I like it. It's kind of fun."
However, the teen, who is the third-youngest U.S. Open contestant in history, has no idea who M.C. Hammer is – well, was. Don't hurt Hammer for not knowing Hammer; the golfer wasn't even alive when the rapper was dropping hits left and right. Then again, the teen, who has already committed to play collegiate golf at the University of Texas, doesn't have a lot of time for music appreciation. He admits that most of his time is either spent in a classroom or on a golf course.
While Hammer may be a prodigy of sorts to get into this championship, he's not walking into his first U.S. Open with any delusions of grandeur. He just wants to enjoy this.
"Honestly, I don't have many [expectations] at all," he said. "I'm just glad to be here."
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
