Duval makes US Open, Daly fails

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June 11, 2009

David Duval and Tom Lehman made it through US Open qualifying, but Jose Maria Olazabal and John Daly missed out.

Former major champions David Duval and Tom Lehman booked their US Open places by coming through qualifying, but Jose Maria Olazabal and John Daly both missed out on a trip to Bethpage Black.

Former Open champion Duval was one of 17 players to make through a field of 120 at Brookside and The Lakes courses in Columbus, Ohio.

The former world number one, who has not won on the PGA Tour since the 2001 Open Championship, had rounds of 66 and 69 to make the US Open for the first time since 2006.

“I’ve made no bones about it, I think the two Opens are the two most important tournaments of the year,” said the 37-year-old Duval. “I am excited about how I’m playing, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Open champion at Royal Lytham in 1996, Lehman also moves onto the US Open next week after scoring back-to-back 67s.

American George McNeill and amateur Kyle Stanley led the field, with South Africans Charl Schwartzel and James Kamte also earning spots alongside Australian James Nitties – who sealed the final place available after winning a nine-way sudden-death play-off.

Former major winners Davis Love III, Olazabal and American Lee Janzen all tasted disappointment though as they failed to qualify in Columbus.

Love’s run of 18 consecutive US Open appearances ended with his performance in qualifying, while two-time US Open champion Janzen finished one shot ahead of double Masters winner Olazabal.

At the Germantown and Ridgeway courses in Memphis, Tennessee, Daly failed to mark his return to the US Tour with a US Open spot as he missed out on one of the 13 places available.

43-year-old Daly has returned to America as his six-month suspension expires, but rounds of 70 and 73 saw him miss out on making next week’s US Open.

Two-time major champion Daly has been plying his trade in Europe and Asia while seeing out his ban in America, and he returns to action at the St Jude Classic this week.

Germany’s Alex Cejka failed to make the tournament, while Scot Martin Laird made it through along with American Ryder Cup player JJ Henry.

52-year-old Fred Funk is the oldest man to qualify for the tournament after he came through along with six others at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland.

Sixty-three spots were up for grabs in sectional qualifying at 13 venues on Monday for the second major of the season.

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