US Open qualifying: Late bogey scuppers Harrington at Walton Heath
Chambers Bay
Pádraig Harrington is targeting a top-three finish in the Irish Open after final hole bogey scuppered his chances of qualifying for the US Open via yesterday’s 36-hole Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath.
The Dubliner opened with a level par 72 on the New Course in a battle for 11 places in the field at Chambers Bay in Washington next month.
But having raced to five under on the Old Course in the afternoon thanks to four back nine birdies in a row from the 13th, he ran up a costly five at the 479-yard 18th.
The 18th on the Old Course at Walton Heath
As a result, he posted a 68 and and ended up tied for 13th, one stroke outside a five-man playoff for the last four spots.
In the end, South Africans Garth Mulroy, Thomas Aiken, Tjaart Van de Walt and Australia’s Marcus Fraser denied Welshman Oliver Farr.. Scores
Currently ranked 86th in the world, a left shoulder injury force Harrington to pull out of last week’s BMW PGA after just three holes.
He now turns to his attention to getting a top-three finish in either this week’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down or the FedEx St Jude Classic in Memphis, the week before the US Open.
"It was disappointing to bogey the last," Harrington said. "I nearly walked off after four holes this morning so I was surprised to have a chance at all.
"It was nice to get a run going on the back nine. It's one too many, so it is disappointing, especially after making a few birdies and getting inside the mark."
As for the Sectional Qualifier at Walton Heath, Frenchman Alexander Levy (66-67) topped the 11 qualifiers by a stroke on 11 under par from India’s Shiv Kapur with England’s John Parry, Swede Alex Noren, Dane Lucas Bjerregaard, England’s Jason Palmer and Germany’s Marcel Siem also qualifying.
There was disappointment for Dubliner Peter Lawrie (72-71) as he finished tied 29th on one under while Ballyclare’s Gareth Maybin (70-74) was joint 41st on level par.
