RUSSELL KNOX QUALIFIES FOR PLACE IN US OPEN FIELD AT MERION
Russell Knox put his indifferent form this season behind him to win a place in the US Open championship field at Merion Golf Club, Philadelphia on June 13.
And Irish amateur Kevin Phelan, a student at North Florida University, also qualified on a day when 800 golfers nationwide were competing at sectionals.
Knox, Inverness-born, Jacksonville Beach-based player finished joint winner of the qualifier at Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland with scores of 65 and 67 for 132.
Six spots were available in the US Open field for a field of 122.
Twice US Open winner Lee Janzen had a 75 in the first round during which he wore metal spikes.
For this infringement of the rules - pros can wear spikes but are subject to host club rules in the sectionals and at Woodmont Country Club, metal spikes are banned totally.
So Janzen, the 1993 and 1998 US Open winner, was disqualified from playing a second round but that first-round 75 suggested he was not going to make it anyway. But a good story!
Fellow major champions of yesteryear Mike Weir and Ben Curtis will also be absent after the duo were unable to make enough progress at their separate sectionals.
Phelan, who was on the short leet for a place in the GB and I Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen two years ago, shot 65-70 for 135 to win the qualifier at Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Bradenton, Florida. He was one of three qualifiers from a field of 56 players.
Leicester-born US college player Greg Eason shot 68-72 for 140 and failed narrowly.
Elsewhere around the country, tour winners Charley Hoffman and Bae Sang-Moon advanced in their Columbus, Ohio sectional with Hoffman grabbing top honours over the field.
Jordan Spieth, who has made his mark on tour with a string of strong showings, shared top honours at the Dallas site to also qualify for the Open.
The 19-year-old finished as the top amateur, grabbing a share of 21st, at last year's tournament.
Tour winner Scott Stallings, along with young South Korean talent Noh Seung-Yul, missed out on qualifying.
And Irish amateur Kevin Phelan, a student at North Florida University, also qualified on a day when 800 golfers nationwide were competing at sectionals.
Knox, Inverness-born, Jacksonville Beach-based player finished joint winner of the qualifier at Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland with scores of 65 and 67 for 132.
Six spots were available in the US Open field for a field of 122.
Twice US Open winner Lee Janzen had a 75 in the first round during which he wore metal spikes.
For this infringement of the rules - pros can wear spikes but are subject to host club rules in the sectionals and at Woodmont Country Club, metal spikes are banned totally.
So Janzen, the 1993 and 1998 US Open winner, was disqualified from playing a second round but that first-round 75 suggested he was not going to make it anyway. But a good story!
Fellow major champions of yesteryear Mike Weir and Ben Curtis will also be absent after the duo were unable to make enough progress at their separate sectionals.
Phelan, who was on the short leet for a place in the GB and I Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen two years ago, shot 65-70 for 135 to win the qualifier at Ritz-Carlton Members Club, Bradenton, Florida. He was one of three qualifiers from a field of 56 players.
Leicester-born US college player Greg Eason shot 68-72 for 140 and failed narrowly.
Elsewhere around the country, tour winners Charley Hoffman and Bae Sang-Moon advanced in their Columbus, Ohio sectional with Hoffman grabbing top honours over the field.
Jordan Spieth, who has made his mark on tour with a string of strong showings, shared top honours at the Dallas site to also qualify for the Open.
The 19-year-old finished as the top amateur, grabbing a share of 21st, at last year's tournament.
Tour winner Scott Stallings, along with young South Korean talent Noh Seung-Yul, missed out on qualifying.
Labels: US OPEN
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, June 04, 2013
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