France’s Grégory Bourdy sealed a return to the US Open Championship next month after finishing two shots clear of Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg at the International Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath.
Four-time European Tour winner Bourdy had hinted at having rediscovered his best form with strong finishes in Ireland and at Wentworth in the last two weeks, and the 34 year old followed a five under par 67 around the New Course in the morning with a four under par 68 around the Old Course to head the 13 players earning spots at Oakmont Country Club.
Lundberg, a three-time European Tour winner, will make his Major Championship debut after finishing on seven under par overall in cold and blustery conditions in Surrey.
Bourdy’s compatriots Gary Stal and Romain Wattel will join him in the field after both finishing on four under par, where they were matched by Sweden’s Alex Noren.
Englishman Andrew Johnston delighted local crowds by clinching his spot in what will be his debut tournament in America, the 27 year old continuing to ride the wave that brought him a maiden European Tour title in Spain last month and a top ten finish in his home event, the BMW PGA Championship.
His compatriot Lee Slattery also qualified after two rounds of 69, the 38 year old marking a return to the US Open having previously teed it up in 2012 at the Olympic Club, also the venue when Matthew Baldwin – another to win qualification – last appeared in the tournament.
Ryder Cup hero Peter Hanson put a couple of injury-hampered years behind him to earn qualification on three under par alongside Italy’s Matteo Manassero, still only 23 years old but now set for his fourth US Open appearance.
A dramatic five-man play-off followed to determine the final three qualifiers, with Max Kieffer holing from the bunker on the first hole to secure his spot before Soren Hansen birdied the second, where Johan Edfors’ bogey dropped him out of the running.
That left Jeev Milka Singh and Sebastian Soderberg and they both missed putts to win on the third and fourth play-off holes respectively before Soderberg – riding high on the Challenge Tour this season – birdied to earn a maiden Major Championship appearance.
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, announced last week as one of Darren Clarke’s vice-captains for this year’s Ryder Cup, bogeyed his final two holes to miss out on the deciding play-off by one shot.
What they said…
Grégory Bourdy (-9)
“It’s one of the biggest tournaments in the world and one of the most difficult usually, so it’s a big challenge, but I like it when it’s tough and it’s great to be there for sure.
“I feel very good with my game right now. The last few weeks have been good, I played solid, and I’ve got a lot of confidence, with some good tournaments coming up too.
“It’s always really difficult in the US Open. I don’t know Oakmont, I’ve never been there, but I’m looking forward to getting there, practising and trying to do my best.”
Mikael Lundberg (-7)
“It feels fantastic. It’s the first time I’ve ever even tried to qualify and I made it, and I’ve never even played a Major Championship before so it’s going to be great.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine, to play just one, and I was talking to my caddie and saying we might even do a Michael Campbell and win, you never know.
“Oakmont for sure will be a step up, a much tougher test, but that’s perfect and I’ll love it. I can’t wait to get there and I’ll go there, enjoy the week and just see what happens.”
Lee Slattery (-6)
“I’m absolutely delighted with that. It was my sort of perfect day out there today, it was windy and I’ve grown up in the wind on links golf courses, so it was all about controlling your ball flight and your ball out there today and I managed to do it great.
“It was a great week when I played in 2012 and I always said that I would never not try to qualify for the US Open again because it was such a fabulous occasion. The hype out there, it’s just madness, and it’s great to play on a stage like that.”
Andrew Johnston (-4)
“I can’t wait to get out there. I’ve been watching it for 20 years, so it’s exciting. I’ve only played one Major Championship before, and I’ve never played in America at all so I’m looking forward to it.
“Last year was tough, it felt like every week I was just fighting, but then this year I’ve made a really good start so I’ve just got to try to build on that.”
Peter Hanson (-3)
“It’s great to be back playing the Majors. They’re the ones you miss the most when you’re injured, and I feel my game is heading back in the right direction.
“I’ve been to Oakmont before so I know what kind of a challenge it is and it will be a tough one – it’s got beautiful greens and you really need to bring your best game there.”
Matteo Manassero (-3)
“It’s a great feeling and I’m really happy that I’ve made it. It was a big goal for me, I’ve played the US Open three times and I really wanted to go back.
“You’ve played well to get through this, it was really tough out there, so whoever has made it today has played really good golf and has definitely earned it.”
Padraig Harrington (-1 – did not qualify)
“We knew what the story was, and it was disappointing to end like that. 17 is tough enough and the tee shot didn’t come back on the wind, and obviously dropping a shot there put me in a precarious place down the last.
“After hitting a good tee shot I hit a nice second shot that looked like it was going to be close but it hit a downslope and ran away, and then I three-putted again, like I did on the 18
th
this morning, so a very disappointing way to finish.”
