Rose, Fowler miss out in US qualifier

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Justin Rose has missed out on the US Open after falling short in Monday’s 36-hole qualifier – so too has Rickie Fowler.

Justin Rose has missed out on a place at the US Open after falling short in Monday’s 36-hole qualifier in Columbus, Ohio – but he was in good company.

Also out is 21-year-old Rickie Fowler, the rising US star he beat in the Memorial on Sunday after Fowler had sat on top of the leaderboard at Muirfield Village for 48 consecutive holes.

“Being in contention definitely wears you out quite a bit,” said Fowler, almost certainly speaking for both himself and Rose.

“This is my third week in a row playing so I’m looking forward to some time off.

“It would have been nice to be playing in the Open, though, but it happens.”

Rose, looking to build on his Memorial Tournament victory, could only finish in a tie for 31st on four under par as 120 players battled over two courses for 15 spots at Pebble Beach next week.

The 29-year-old, up too late from 66th in the world to 33rd following his first PGA Tour victory in 162 attempts, was well-placed after a four-under 68 in the first round, but mental exhaustion following his heroics in the gruelling final round at Muirfield Village on Sunday seemed to set in after that and he slipped down the leaderboard with a second-round 72.

Rose lay joint 12th after the first 18 holes, having birdied the 10th, 14th, 16th and 18th for an inward 32.

But he had to make do with a level-par second round, bogeying holes five and seven before clawing some ground back with birdies on the 10th and 13th.

American Eric Axley, who followed his opening 64 with a 63, was the clear winner of the Ohio qualifier, one of a number played around the US on Monday.

He finished on nine under to win by four shots from Australia’s Stuart Appleby. Others high up in the chasing pack who qualified were recent.Puerto Rico winner Derek Lamely, Aaron Baddeley and Bo Van Pelt.

Three major winners, Tom Lehman, Ben Curtis and Davis Love III also qualified, Love whose streak of 18 consecutive US Open starts ended last year, squeezing in as one of the five who made it through in a six-man play-off

“I’m so excited to get in,” said Love, a two-time winner at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. “I’ve really been hitting the ball well.”

Ty Tryon, who sensationally made it through Q-school as a 17-year-old nine years ago but has rarely been heard from since, was among seven qualifiers at Rockville. He is 26 now and will be playing in his first major.

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