Martin back at US Open

American Casey Martin, who made history in 1998 by being allowed to use a golf cart to play in the US Open, will be back at the Olympic Club in San Francisco next week after winning a qualifying event.

The 40-year-old suffers from Klippel Trenaunay Weber syndrome, a birth defect in his right leg, and successfully sued the PGA Tour in 2001 for the right to use a cart during competition.

He has not played professionally for six years and is now the University of Oregon men’s golf coach.

“I don’t play golf, really,” said Martin. "Going back to the U.S. Open? It’s surreal. I think there will be a lot of attention, but controversy no. We’ve been through all of that.”

He finished 23rd 14 years ago.

American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love and German Alex Cejka were among other players to make it through sectional qualifiers around the United States.