Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma qualifies for US Open

Columbus, US: Shubhankar Sharma's magnificent year continued as the Indian grabbed a spot in next week’s US Open Golf Championships with a solid display of 69- 68 in the qualifiers here. The prestigious tournament will be held at the Shinnecock Hills. In the qualifiers held at Brookside GCC and Lakes Golf and Country Club, the 21- yearold was tied fifth. Two other Indians -- Shiv Kapur — playing the qualifier at Walton Heath, Surrey – Arjun Atwal – playing in Tennessee – failed to earn a spot. A thrilled Sharma said, “It was a great day for me. It was a long one with 36 holes but I am glad I played the Brookside in the morning as it is tougher with smaller greens. I grinded it out for a 69.” He added, “But it was nervy ending on the 18th ( in second round). I hit to the left off the tee and it took a bad bounce and it went into the rough. I had a terrible lie and I had to hit with one foot in the bunker with 150 yards to the front of the green.” “I hit a 9- Iron, which stayed short and again in the rough, thick lie. But I made a great up and down. I hit a good chip to 10 feet and holed it for par. At that stage I did not know the scores and felt that I needed to make par to have any chance,” Shubhankar said after his fine show. Sharma has already played the Masters this year on a special invite and has now qualified for the US Open. Earlier, he earned a spot into the Open Championships at Carnoustie after winning the Joburg Open. He needs to stay in Top- 100 of the world to play the last Major, the PGA Championships.