Shiv qualifies for US Open

Surrey, May 26

Shiv Kapur grabbed a spot in the US Open for the second year running through the International Sectional Qualifiers at the Walton Heath Golf Club here today.

Playing two rounds on the same day, Kapur totalled 10-under 134 to finish one shot behind medallist Alexander Levy of France, who earned his a debut appearance at the US Open. Kapur shot 67 in both the rounds.

Jeev Milkha Singh, however, missed out after finishing two shots away from getting into a play-off. Jeev carded 69 and 72. A total of 11 spots were available from the qualifiers, where 82 players started off.

In the first round played in the morning, Kapur had four birdies and two bogeys on the front nine and then birdied the 13th, 15th and 16th on the back nine. He was flawless in the afternoon round, making five birdies for another 67.

Kapur will join his friend Anirban Lahiri in the second Major of the year at the Chambers Bay from June 18 to 21. This will be Kapur’s fourth appearance in a Major and he has come through a qualifier each time. He has twice played at the British Open (Hoylake 2006 and Muirfield 2013) and played in the US Open last year.

“That’s two years in a row now I’ve qualified from here (for US Open) so it is my happy hunting ground. I had a decent showing at Pinehurst last year (tied 23rd) so hopefully I can do even better this year. This afternoon I was blemish-free — five birdies, no bogeys, so I’m very pleased,” Kapur said.

“Last year was the coolest event I’ve played. I got cheered by the spectators all the way. I remember finishing with a birdie on te 18th and it was the biggest cheer I’ve ever heard, so the US Open is really cool. At the end of the day, we play the sport to play in the Majors and compete against the best, so it is a dream come true.”

“Michael Campbell showed it can be done (winning the US Open after coming through qualifiers in 2005). Last year, I was on the leaderboard for a while and I know if I play my best it is not out of the equation. But I just want to go out there and enjoy playing in another US Open,” he added. — PTI