European Tour Members make up nearly half of the 72 exempt players who have booked their place in the field for next month’s US Open Championship at today’s cut off point.
Led by defending champion Graeme McDowell and the three other reigning Major Champions Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel, a total of 31 European Tour Members are guaranteed a place at Congressional Country Club.
Joining them will be the current top two on the Official World Golf Ranking, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald, as The European Tour attempts to maintain its stranglehold on all four Majors.
Former champions Angel Cabrera, Michael Campbell and Retief Goosen are also part of the field, while Frenchman Grégory Havret returns courtesy of finishing runner up the McDowell at Pebble Beach last year.
Anders Hansen secured his spot due to being in the top five on The Race to Dubai at today’s cut off point, while Matteo Manassero and Peter Hanson gained their exemptions as a result of being inside the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
It will be 18 year old Manassero’s debut in the US Open and only his third Major Championship after making the cut on both of his other appearances, tied 13th in The 2009 Open Championship and tied 36th at last year’s Masters Tournament, both times as an amateur.
Those players who missed out on securing their exemption will have the chance to qualify next Monday at Walton Heath Golf Club. There is also the chance to gain an exemption by being in the top 50 in the world on June 6, the Monday before the US Open.
