Two-Time Masters Champion Langer Qualifies


June 6, 2005
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  • U.S. Open Sectional Scores
  • Former USA Walker Cupper Nallen Earns Spot


    • Far Hills, N.J. - Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer was one of 20 players to earn a berth in the field of the 2005 U.S. Open through 36-hole sectional qualifying in Columbus, Ohio, Monday.

    Bernhard Langer, who will play in his 20th U.S. Open, finished fourth in the 1987 championship. (USGA Photo Archives)

    Langer, who won the 1985 and 1993 Masters Tournaments, shot 134 at Brookside Country Club (67) and The Lakes Golf and Country Club (67) to earn his 20th U.S. Open appearance.  His best U.S. Open finish is a tie for fourth in 1987.

    Also qualifying from Brookside were Medalist Geoff Ogilvy (131), John Rollins and Scott McCarron (133) and John Cook (135).  Other Columbus qualifiers included Ted Purdy, Joe Ogilvie, Bill Glasson and 1986 PGA champion Bob Tway.  Among those not qualifying in Columbus were Jose Maria Olazabal, Jeff Sluman, Jesper Parnevik, and Paul Azinger.

    At the international qualifying site at Walton Heath Golf Club in England, Peter Hanson ofSweden and Jonathan Lomas of England shot identical 10-under-par totals of 134 to claim two of the nine spots.  

    "It's great that the USGA has given everyone a chance," said Lomas, who has played in the U.S. at the 1997 and 1997 Sarazen World Open.   "I don't know much about Pinehurst, except watching Payne Stewart winning there in the past."

    Others earning places from Walton Heath were Simon Dyson of England; Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark; Michael Campbell of New Zealand; Robert Karlsson of Sweden; Nick Dougherty of England; Jose-Filipe Lima of Portugal; and Peter Hedblom of Sweden, who shot the field's best score of 65 at Walton Heath's New Course.

    Campbell will be playing his seventh Open and Karlsson in his third while the other seven will be making their Open debuts.

    Among those not qualifying inEngland were 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie, 1999 European Ryder Cuppers Andrew Coltart and Jarmo Sandelin as well as 2002 Ryder Cup team members Niclas Fasth and Pierre Fulke.

    Michael Allen of Scottsdale, Ariz., shot 68-68-136 at rain-soaked Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J., to gain the first of six spots.  Nationwide Tour player Chris Nallen (138), and PGA Tour members J.L. Lewis (138), Len Mattiace (138), J.J. Henry (139) and Steve Allan (140) took the other five places.  Among those not qualifying was 2002 U.S. Amateur champion Ricky Barnes and 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Austin Eaton of New London, N.H., who still plays as an amateur.

    Two-time USA Walker Cupper Trip Kuehne of Irving, Texas, grabbed the first of two spots at the TPC at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, with an 8-under-par total of 136.  Kuehne was the low amateur at the 2003 U.S. Open.  Kyle Willmann, of Oklahoma City, Okla., shot 138 and earned the second spot in a one-hole playoff.

    At El Caballero Country Club inTarzana, Calif, 1987 U.S. Open champion Scott Simpson aced the 16th hole in the first round but did not advance.  Nick Jones of Los Angeles earned the medal at 139.

    Nationwide Tour playerr Jerry Smith (139) and James Benape of Sheridan, Wyo., (140) won the two spots at The Village Links of Glen Ellyn (Ill.)

    At the six sites where a single berth was available, Paul Claxton of Claxton, Ga., beat out 16 other players and shot 66-66--132 at Chevy Chase (Md.) Country Club; also, Patrick Damron of Orlando, Fla., edged Kevin Gessino-Kraft of Lakewood, Ohio, with a par on the first playoff hole to earn the lone berth at Double Eagle Golf Club in Galena, Ohio, after both shot 137; Wil Collins, of Rapid City, S.D., shot 71-70-141 to win the only spot at Columbine Country Club in Littleton, Colo.; Troy Kelly of Bremerton, Wash., shot 70-68-138 to win the sole berth at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge (Wash.); and Pierre-Henri Soero of Honolulu, Hawaii, shot 70-77-147 to win the only spot at Kaanapali Golf Course's North Tournament layout in windswept Lahaina, Hawaii.

    Threatening weather caused lengthy delays at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta and Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md.   Both sites, at which all players completed at least 18 holes, will re-start Tuesday.  In Atlanta, the field of 77 players competes for six spots, and in Rockville, the field of 144 is playing for 22 places.