Graeme McDowell comes through qualifier to secure return to US Open

RETURN OF THE MAC: Graeme McDowell secured a return to the US Open. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Former champion Graeme McDowell secured a return to the US Open 16 years after his victory at Pebble Beach by coming through a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas.

The Northern Irishman shot back-to-back rounds of 69 at Dallas Athletic Club to finish in a share of fifth place, with the top nine players securing a ticket to Shinnecock Hills next month.

The 46-year-old will be playing his first major since his 10-year exemption for winning the 2010 US Open expired six years ago.

American Peter Uihlein topped the leaderboard on nine under to secure his first major appearance since 2018, with former Open runner-up Tom Kim a shot further back.

Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia missed out on a six-man play-off for the final spot by two shots after finishing on one under, while England’s Danny Willett and Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin both withdrew.