Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup captain along with seven other Ryder Cup stars will be among those teeing-up in next Monday’s U.S. Open 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath.
Colin Montgomerie, three times runner-up in the U.S. Open, will be striving for a 17th appearance in the Major commencing June 16th at Congressional in Maryland.
Joining Monty will be former Ryder Cup players Paul Broadhurst, Ross Fisher, David Howell, Thomas Levet, Jarmo Sandelin and Niclas Fasth.
Fisher has played in the last three Ryder Cup’s and at 53rd in the world, is the highest world ranked player heading to Walton Heath.
However Fisher can avoid qualifying if he finishes high enough in the BMW PGA Championship to break back into the top-50.
He kept that goal in sight with a two round total of one over par.
Reigning U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell was in that situation last year, arriving at Wentwoth in 50th spot on the rankings but pulling out of U.S. Open qualifying hoping he’d retain his top-50 ranking.
Indeed McDowell moved to 49th in the world and the assurance of competing at Pebble Beach.
England’s Oliver Wilson, and a member of the 2008 European Team, was entered in the field but withdrew after scores of 77 and 74 in the BMW PGA Championship.
It leaves a total of 102 players who have entered but with entries not closing till noon (UK time) tomorrow – Saturday May 28th.
Monty was at Walton Heath last year but failed to qualify.
The Scot made his U.S. Open debut in 1992 finishing a superb third at Pebble Beach and he was then runner-up to Ernie Els in both 1994 at Oakmont and 1997 at Congressional.
Five years ago, Monty again had the chance to win a first Major but finished in a share of second place behind Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy.
But whether Monty qualifies or not on Monday, he’ll be heading to Maryland as a member of SKY Sport’s commentary team.
Others teeing up on Monday at Walton Heath include other French stars in Raphael Jacquelin, Gregory Bourdy, Christain Cevaer and Tour rookie Romain Wattel.
As well, Spanish players Pablo Larrazabal, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Pablo Martin and Alejandro Canizares will be present.
