Golf

Pádraig Harrington enters US Open qualifying at Walton Heath

Three-time Major winner’s exemption from 2008 USPGA victory has expired

Pádraig Harrington will contest US Open qualifying at Walton Heath for the first time on Monday. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Pádraig Harrington will contest US Open qualifying at Walton Heath for the first time on Monday. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images
Sun May 25 2014 - 12:48

Three-time Major winner Pádraig Harrington will contest US Open qualifying for the first time on Monday.

Harrington has played in every US Open since 2000, but his exemption from winning the 2008 US PGA Championship has now expired and he is currently ranked 209th in the world.

The 42-year-old is one of 108 players currently entered for the 36-hole qualifying event played on the Old and New courses at Walton Heath, with between nine and 12 places at Pinehurst next month up for grabs depending on the final field.

Harrington took his first look at Walton Heath earlier this week and planned another visit after his final round of 73 in the BMW PGA Championship at nearby Wentworth.

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Harrington is set to be joined in the field by two-time Masters champion and former Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, along with ex-Ryder Cup players David Howell, Ross Fisher and Edoardo Molinari.

Italy's Matteo Manassero, who missed the cut in his defence of the BMW PGA Championship this week, is also in the field.

Michael Hoey and Shane Lowry are also in the field, while European Tour rookie Kevin Phelan is looking to make the US Open for the first time as a professional after making the cut at Merion last year while still an amateur.