28/05/12
Former Walker Cup man Marc Warren is bound for the US Open next month after a superb display in the 36-hole qualifier at Walton Heath today.
The 31-year-old from Cambuslang will play in his first-ever Major championship at the Olympic Club, San Francisco from June 14-17.
Warren, who contemplated not even playing today due to his hectic schedule and a desire to fully focus on European Tour matters, was joint-winner on nine-under-par with Swede Alexander Noren, who defends the Wales Open at Celtic Manor later this week.
Warren, a former World Cup winner with Colin Montgomerie, finally makes it into a Major championship after nine attempts to qualify for The Open and three for the US Open.
"I wasn't sure whether I was going to play today," said Warren, a former Scotland international. "But the people around me told me to give it a rip and see what happens.”
He needed something special after an opening 70 on the Old Course, but produced it with a seven-under 65 on the shorter New.
Warren, also winner of the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, added: "It’s my Major debut so I’m delighted. It’ll be great to play in one.
"I can’t wait to get out there. I think I’ll need to get a new lob wedge with new grooves in the bag, because the greens are going to be very firm and the rough’s going to be up.
"I hear the course is pretty brutal, but I’m really looking forward to it. I’m sure I’ll enjoy the experience, and if I can take the mindset I had today into the tournament, hopefully I can give a good account of myself."
Montgomerie made an amazing 900-mile overnight drive from the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth to his Perthshire home and back down to Walton Heath... to fetch a new putter.
But after a promising start, a four-under-par 68, he could only add a 72 and missed out on the 11 spots up for grabs. Scott Jamieson, Richie Ramsay, George Murray and Stephen Gallacher also came up short.