Bernd Wiesberger will become the first Austrian to play in the US Open Championship after earning his spot in the field at Pinehurst Resort courtesy of his runner-up finish at the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity.
The 28 year old came agonisingly close to winning his home championship for a second time last weekend after a final round 69 meant he finished tied with Mikael Lundberg, forcing extra holes.
While Lunberg holed a monster putt to seal a dramatic win and deny Wiesberger another home victory, the Vienna-born Wiesberger will no doubt find some consolation in the fact that he will be the first to represent his country at the US Open Championship.
The two-time European Tour winner earns his place in the season’s second Major after climbing to 60th place in the Official World Golf Ranking following the drama at Diamond Country Club, Atzenbrugg.
“I’m just thrilled to be going to Pinehurst this week and playing in my first US Open Championship,” said Wiesberger, who won the Lyoness Open powered by Greenfinity in 2012. “It was very disappointing to miss out on the Lyoness Open title over the weekend, especially in front of my home fans, but this goes some way in making me feel a little better this morning.
“Of course, I have played in The Open Championship and the US PGA Championship, but this will be my first US Open and it makes me very proud to be the first Austrian to play in such a huge event. Hopefully I can bring some of the good form I showed last week into this week and be at my best.”
Wiesberger made his first appearance at a Major in the 2012 US PGA Championship before playing two of the big four in 2013, including his maiden Open Championship appearance at Muirfield.
Markus Brier became the first player from Austria to take part in a Major Championship when he earned his place in the field for The 2001 Open Championship and his best finish in one of golf’s big four also came in Britain’s Major, in 2007, when he finished tied 12th at Carnoustie.
Manuel Trappel played in The 2012 Open Championship as an amateur after he became the first Austrian to win the European Amateur Championship.
