Affable Aussie Wade Ormsby has ended a long overdue 16-year wait to contest a first Major after successfully qualifying through a seven-man play-off for next fortnight’s U.S. Open.
Ormsby, 37 had finished right on the play-off cut-off mark of nine-under after scores of 66 and 69 in Monday’s 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath and just to the south of London.
It was the Adelaide-born Ormsby’s fourth attempt at U.S. Open qualifying at Walton Heath but a first since 2009.
Wade Ormsby ends 16 wait for a first Major after qualfying for 2017 US Open.
England’s Aaron Rai grabbed top qualifying honours with rounds of 66 and 64 for a 14-under tally.
The play-off involved seven players and fighting for the five Erin Hills qualifying spots.
Paul Dunne of Ireland and South Africa’s Thomas Aiken were the first to make it through before Matt Wallace of England and Ormsby joined them to earn a place in the June 15th starting U.S. Open in suburban Milwaukee.
Ormsby had produced a flawless bogey-free six-birdie haul in the morning first 18 holes over the New Course at Walton Heath and then after a short lunch break he went out to tackle the famed Old Course.
However, it was not the start “Orms” was seeking in dropping two shots over his first six holes but then managing to sandwich a third hole eagle between bogeys at two, five and six to make the turn at one-over par and back to five under in tally.
Ormsby then knuckled down to then birdie four holes in a five-hole run from the 11th to 16th holes ahead of two closing pars to secure his place in the $US 12m U.S. Open and the year’s second Major.
And he then got onto Twitter to post a very simple message …..
1st major… can’t wait! https://t.co/lowkTBkDIP
— Wade Ormsby (@wadeormsby) May 29, 2017
He now joins fellow Australians including Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith in the year ’s second Major.
