Jyoti Randhawa

London: Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa played games of their lives to qualify for the prestigious US Open golf tournament, which starts on June 15.

Randhawa and Jeev authored a red-letter day for the Indian golf by carding six and five-under on the last nine to finish inside top eight at the US Open sectional qualifier at Walton Heath booking their places for the year’s second Major, the US Open to be played at Mamaroneck, New York.

It is the first time that two Indians have come through qualifiers for the same Major. In the past, Arjun Atwal and Randhawa played at the 2004 British Open, but Atwal came through as an automatic berth for having topped the Asian Tour in 2003.

Randhawa had six birdies on his back nine after seeming to have blown away his chances on the front nine.

After a first round one-under 71, he was one-over for front nine and then played six-under for backstretch to book his ticket. He finished his second round in 67 for a total of 138 to be tied second, eight shots behind the run away leader and topper marten Lafeber, whose 64 and 66 saw him finish at eight-under 130.

Jeev, who is having a great run this year, including winning the Volvo China Open and leading the Asian Tour Order Of Merit, continued his love affair with New York.

Four years ago, Jeev qualified and played all four rounds at the Bethpage US Open.

This is Jeev’s second US Open, while Randhawa, who has played the British Open three times, will be playing his first US Open. The two players are also trying to earn a berth for the British Open with their performances in next few weeks.

Arjun Atwal and Daniel Chopra are playing in the US Open qualifier at Columbus, Ohio at the Brookside Golf and Country Club. The Columbus qualifier offered 21 players among who was 52-year-old Jay Haas, who won the Senior PGA Championship two weeks ago. He first played in the 1974 US Open as an amateur and returned for the ‘84 US Open and the ‘97 US PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, Michelle Wie came close but stumbled late and failed in her bid to qualify as the first woman for the US Open Men’s Major.

After starting her day with a two-under-par 68 and remaining in contention entering her final nine, she was ultimately doomed by poor putting.

Three consecutive bogeys on her last nine resulted in a one-over 143 finish in the 36-hole sectional qualifier at Canoe Brook Country Club. Wie carded a two-under-par 68 on the south course in her first 18 of the day. She signed for a three-over 75 on the north course. (AGENCIES)