Simon Khan gets late call into next week's US Open
England's Simon Khan has earned a late call-up into the 156-man field for next week's US Open at Pebble Beach.
Khan's surprise victory in the European Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth three weeks ago did not earn him a place at Pebble Beach and he then lost in a qualifying play-off at Walton Heath the following day.
But the Essex golfer comes in as first reserve because Justin Rose, who lifted the Memorial Tournament in Ohio on Sunday, needed to have won at least one other US PGA Tour event in the past year to be given an exemption.
Khan, who will celebrate his 38th birthday the day before the championship, was already planning to travel to California in the hope of somebody pulling out.
His call-up completes a remarkable turn of events for the man who last November had to return to the Tour qualifying school and who was 471st in the world when he was given an invitation to Wentworth just three days before the tournament.
Waterford teenager qualifies for US Open
FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE
His name may not resonate in the same manner as a Pádraig Harrington or a Rory McIlroy, but Waterford teenager Kevin Phelan will tee it up with the big boys at Pebble Beach after qualifying for the 110th US Open.
Phelan is on a scholarship at the University of North Florida and took his chance at qualifying at the McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound this week. Not only did he book his place in next week’s second major of the year, he did it with aplomb by closing with an eagle on the final hole of his second round 65.
The 19-year-old had opened with an average 73 in the 36-hole-qualifer but tied for first place (alongside Gary Woodland) with a second round 65 for a six-under 138 aggregate by holing his bunker shot on the 18th for eagle.
“It still hasn't sunk in yet. It might at some point. It feels pretty good to just have tied for first in the sectional,” said Phelan to the Florida Times Union afterwards.
Of his final shot from sand he added “it was a perfect shot'”.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) held 13 sectional sites for qualifying and amateur Phelan was one of three players to qualify from a field of 49 at the Florida venue.
The teenager was born in New York, where his father played professional squash, then moved to Waterford with his family aged three, before returning to the United States five years ago.
The US Open takes place at Pebble Beach next week (from June 17th-20th) when Phelan will he joined by Irish compatriots Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. American Lucas Glover is the defending champion.
Qualifiers from Hobe Sound Golf Club, Florida
Gary Woodland 67-71-138
Kevin Phelan (a) 73-65-138
Travis Hampshire 72-67-139
England's Simon Khan has earned a late call-up into the 156-man field for next week's US Open at Pebble Beach.
Khan's surprise victory in the European Tour's flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth three weeks ago did not earn him a place at Pebble Beach and he then lost in a qualifying play-off at Walton Heath the following day.
But the Essex golfer comes in as first reserve because Justin Rose, who lifted the Memorial Tournament in Ohio on Sunday, needed to have won at least one other US PGA Tour event in the past year to be given an exemption.
Khan, who will celebrate his 38th birthday the day before the championship, was already planning to travel to California in the hope of somebody pulling out.
His call-up completes a remarkable turn of events for the man who last November had to return to the Tour qualifying school and who was 471st in the world when he was given an invitation to Wentworth just three days before the tournament.
Waterford teenager qualifies for US Open
FROM THE IRISHTIMES.COM WEBSITE
His name may not resonate in the same manner as a Pádraig Harrington or a Rory McIlroy, but Waterford teenager Kevin Phelan will tee it up with the big boys at Pebble Beach after qualifying for the 110th US Open.
Phelan is on a scholarship at the University of North Florida and took his chance at qualifying at the McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound this week. Not only did he book his place in next week’s second major of the year, he did it with aplomb by closing with an eagle on the final hole of his second round 65.
The 19-year-old had opened with an average 73 in the 36-hole-qualifer but tied for first place (alongside Gary Woodland) with a second round 65 for a six-under 138 aggregate by holing his bunker shot on the 18th for eagle.
“It still hasn't sunk in yet. It might at some point. It feels pretty good to just have tied for first in the sectional,” said Phelan to the Florida Times Union afterwards.
Of his final shot from sand he added “it was a perfect shot'”.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) held 13 sectional sites for qualifying and amateur Phelan was one of three players to qualify from a field of 49 at the Florida venue.
The teenager was born in New York, where his father played professional squash, then moved to Waterford with his family aged three, before returning to the United States five years ago.
The US Open takes place at Pebble Beach next week (from June 17th-20th) when Phelan will he joined by Irish compatriots Padraig Harrington, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. American Lucas Glover is the defending champion.
Qualifiers from Hobe Sound Golf Club, Florida
Gary Woodland 67-71-138
Kevin Phelan (a) 73-65-138
Travis Hampshire 72-67-139
Labels: US OPEN
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Wednesday, June 09, 2010
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