Ty's not the first wonder teen to stride the fairways

With all the fuss this week about American teenager Ty Tryon, it's as if no one had heard of Ronan Rafferty. In 1981, he, too, turned professional at the tender age of 17, having led the pre-qualifiers at Royal Dublin for the Irish Open at Portmarnock two years previously.

Anyway, Tryon will be recalled at the lad who, in the Honda Classic last March, became the youngest player in 44 years to make the cut in a USPGA Tour event. "I shot even par for two rounds and you kind of get lapped when you shoot even par," he said after being tied for 37th. "It was a good reality check for me."

Tryon was supposed to be in high school when he showed up at Kingsmill GC, Virginia, this week for the Michelob Championship. So it was hardly surprising that a gate guard wouldn't let him in without a pass. But he should worry. On Wednesday, he signed a lucrative, three-year club and ball deal with Callaway and a clothing contract with another company.