Stricker qualifies for US Open

NEW YORK: US Presidents Cup captain and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker came out of semi-retirement to seek a spot in the first US Open to be played in his home state and realised his goal on Monday at a qualifying event in Memphis.

The 50-year-old Stricker shot rounds of 67 and 65 for a 10-under-par 132 that assured he would be one of nine players from the event who advanced to the year’s second major, which will be played from June 15-18 at Erin Hills.

Stricker, who is 84th in the world rankings, was denied a special exemption to the US Open and so ramped up his schedule this year with hopes of playing his way into an event that will be held about a 75-minute drive from his home.

A 12-time winner on the PGA Tour who has made three Ryder Cup teams and will captain the US Presidents Cup squad in September, Stricker has played eight events on tour this season, registering one top-10 finish.

Meanwhile, world No.2 Rory McIlroy has recovered from a rib injury that has kept him out of action since the middle of May and has declared himself fit to compete at the US Open.

The four-time major winner has been regaining fitness at the Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal and will return to action at the year’s second major.

“I am ready for Erin Hills and looking forward to playing there for the first time,” said the 2011 US Open champion.

“The last few weeks have obviously been frustrating... but it was important I got back to a level of fitness where I felt like I could give myself the best possible chance at the US Open.”