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TOKYO: Filipino golfer Artemio Murakami was celebrating on Tuesday
after earning his ticket to this year’s US Open, where he will
make his Majors debut.
Murakami birdied the last hole to clinch one of
two berths, alongside Australian veteran Craig Parry, in the 36-hole
qualifier at Ibaraki Country Club in Osaka, Japan.
“I’m looking forward to my first US Open at
Torrey Pines, where I have played many times previously when I was a
junior,” said the 24-year-old.
“My goal today was to avoid bogeys. But I
missed putts from seven feet on the 15th and 17th holes and to be
honest, I was ready to give up after those two bogeys. So I am
really happy to make birdie at the last hole to get a spot.”
Murakami, winner of last year’s Iskandar Johor
Open in Malaysia on the Asian Tour, carded matching rounds of
three-under-par 69 to share top spot with Parry. A total of 12
players teed up for the two berths.
Former Asian Tour number one Thaworn Wiratchant
of Thailand missed out on a top-two spot by one stroke after rounds
of 69 and 70 and earned second alternate status via a play-off.
Reigning Asian merit champion Liang Wen-chong of
China shot rounds of 69 and 72 to finish three shots outside the
qualifying mark while Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng withdrew after
an opening 72.
The year’s second Major takes place at Torrey
Pines, San Diego from June 12 to 15.
-- AFP
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