Shiv Kapur qualifies for US Open at Pinehurst

Surrey: Shiv Kapur qualified for his maiden US Open after he came through the Sectional Qualifying by posting rounds of 68 and 71 to total 139.

Kapur, who has played at the 2006 and 2013 British Open, was tied fifth as 14 players made it to the Major through the qualifiers held in Walton Heath Golf Club. The Sectional was won by Shane Lowry of Ireland. Kapur said, "It was tough out there, but I am happy to make it through to the US Open. I have come close in the past, but I managed finally this time." Kapur added, "Now it is time for Pinehurst and it will be great playing with the best in the business. I enjoyed himself at the Open last time around in 2013." Irishman Lowry, runner-up at the BMW PGA Championship finished on top of the pile at International Qualifying. His eight under par total ? 69 on the New Course in the morning and 67 on the Old in the afternoon ? was all the more impressive given the heavy rain all day at the Surrey venue. Simon Griffiths (67-70) of England, finished second alongside Niclas Fasth (67-70) of Sweden and Garth Mulroy (69-68). Behind them were Kapur (68-71), Chris Doak (68-71), Max Kieffer (68-71), Brooks Koepka (72-67), Graeme Storm (68-71) and Marcel Siem (73-66). Six players had to play off for the final four spots. England`s Oliver Fisher, Italian Andrea Pavan and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard all made birdie at the first extra hole to claim the first three places, and the last to make the grade was Tom Lewis, courtesy a 30-foot putt, leaving Morten Madsen and Danny Willett as alternates. Also making the US Open was Liang Wen-chong of China, who topped the two-day Sectional Qualifying in Japan after posting a final round five-under-par 66 at the Nara International Golf Club. The three-time Asian Tour winner totalled nine-under-par 133 to lead five other players to Pinehurst Resorts and Country Club from June 9 to 15. Wade Ormsby of Australia and Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh both missed out on a US Open ticket after finishing tied 17th and 68th respectively. A total of 105 players turned out to vie for the 14 spots on offer, plus two alternates. Among the big names missing out on berths were three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington and Matteo Manassero.