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American Morning
Women's PGA Golfer Will Not Request Cart Despite Pregnancy
Aired May 30, 2001 - 11:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Golfer Brenda Kuehn says she will not request a cart at the U.S. Open this week, even though she is eight months pregnant. The amateur golfer and her baby will tee off today at the Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and that is where she is, joining us by phone.
Brenda, good morning. Thanks for joining us.
BRENDA CORRIE KUEHN, GOLFER: Good morning, thank you.
KAGAN: How are you feeling?
KUEHN: I'm feeling OK.
KAGAN: Good, well, you look great in the pictures.
KUEHN: Thank you for saying that.
KAGAN: You're eight months pregnant...
KUEHN: I am.
KAGAN: I'm not saying that to flatter you, I'm telling you look great. You qualified for this two weeks ago.
KUEHN: I did.
KAGAN: So clearly, you have your game going, even though you're eight months pregnant.
KUEHN: We'll see what happens tomorrow. We might have a different story then, but we're going to try.
KAGAN: We're looking at video of you right now with your swing, which looks good. What kind of adjustments have you had to make with the baby and the belly?
KUEHN: I need to talk to you more often, so you say all these nice things.
KAGAN: Great swing, you look good.
KUEHN: That's right. The adjustments come naturally as I've grown bigger and bigger. I think your swing just changes naturally. It's got pluses and minuses. I've got better balance, but then, I've lost some flexibility and I've lost some distance on the ball.
KAGAN: Really? So, how are you going to adjust your game for the Open?
KUEHN: You know, the same thing that I've been doing for the past couple of months. I'm just going to try to hit it down the middle and get it in the hole the best way I can.
KAGAN: We said off the top that you're not going to request a cart. You're perfectly capable of walking all 18 holes each day?
KUEHN: Right. I mean, if I would not be able to walk, then I should not be here. I should give my spot to an alternate. But, yes, I'm definitely going to walk.
KAGAN: Of course, your situation, being eight months pregnant, is very different than Casey Martin. I mean, he has a condition that's been with him his entire life and I assume within a month or so, your condition will no longer be with you.
KUEHN: We hope so.
KAGAN: This is baby number two for you.
KUEHN: Correct. I have a four-year-old son.
KAGAN: Did you play this much golf with your first child?
KUEHN: I did. I actually played -- my last tournament was at about seven months pregnant, but I continued to play just for fun on weekend and during the week, and I actually played through the day that I went into labor, so I was lucky in that sense.
KAGAN: You did. And are you setting out to prove something with this, or is it just kind of go as you feel good and why not?
KUEHN: I have nothing to prove to anybody whatsoever. I'm here. I had no expectations. I tried to qualify and had a fun time doing it, and I'm just so excited to be here. This is the greatest tournament of the year for any golfer, and I just felt that I could not pass this opportunity.
KAGAN: What does your doctor say about this?
KUEHN: He's actually been a very good sport. Originally, he was not too keen on the idea that if I were to qualify, coming over and then when we did qualify, he was a trooper and he checked me out, and he said, as long as you are not starting labor, you're good to go. So, I was good to go. I was cleared last week.
KAGAN: And what about your husband?
KUEHN: He kind of had the same feeling because we delivered the first one three weeks early. So, he was concerned that we were going to deliver this one on the golf course, but he's actually here to caddy tomorrow. KAGAN: Oh, he is going to caddy, so he's going to be close by.
KUEHN: Yes,
KAGAN: I would imagine that over the years of marriage and the first child he knows who he's dealing with and you're probably not the kind of woman you say no to, once you set your mind to it.
KUEHN: I just tell him I'm glad he let me come, kind of an inside joke.
KAGAN: I would imagine. I can imagine how that works in your marriage, Brenda. What are your goals for this tournament?
KUEHN: Oh, my goodness. Pretty much as open that I've played before. I really just want to come out, have a great week, and hopefully make the cut and if not, it's no big deal. I've seen so many friends that I haven't seen in years because they've all turned pro and I've stayed amateur and enjoying the course and enjoying the I've come out to watch and it's just a great experience. I'm so glad I'm here.
KAGAN: And do we know, a boy or a girl?
KUEHN: You know, I'm old-fashioned. I did not want to find out.
KAGAN: Old-fashioned in that respect, yet breaking the barriers in other respects as well. Brenda Kuehn, thanks for joining us.
KUEHN: Thank you.
KAGAN: Good luck out on the course and good luck with the baby and to your family as well.
KUEHN: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Thanks for being with us.
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