In-form Lowry snaps up US Open spot

FORMER Irish Open champion Shane Lowry comfortably made it through the 36-hole qualifier for the US Open at Walton Heath yesterday.

Lowry, who finished fourth in the BMW PGA at Wentworth on Sunday, was in terrific form again, finishing on eight under after rounds of 69 and 67. The 24-year-old is making a habit of shining in qualifying events. He shot 62 at Sunningdale last year to earn a place in the British Open at St Andrews.

There were only 11 qualifying spots on offer for the 82-strong field. Colin Montgomerie failed to qualify for a return to Congressional – the course where he was runner-up to Ernie Els in 1997.

Also out on one over went Ryder Cup star Ross Fisher, but two years after finishing fifth in the US Open he still has a chance of making it. Fisher stands 52nd in the world and the top 50 at the end of next week receive invitations.

Frenchman Thomas Levet, who like Montgomerie worked for television at The Masters, finished just a stroke behind Lowry.