US Open qualifying: Who made it through?

Like its counterpart on this side of the Atlantic, US Open Qualifying will often throw up a range of magnificent stories.

As if we didn’t need another reminder why this game is so wonderfully unique, Fran Quinn, a 57-year-old who first played in the US Open in 1992 at Pebble Beach, found himself on the brink of a first major appearance in eight years when he carded a pair of 69s at Final Qualifying in New York.

His 2-under mark at Old Oaks was enough to force his way into a mouth-watering eight-man playoff for two of the final spots at Brookline. Those standing in his way included the No 1-ranked junior golfer in the US, 17-year-old Ben James, along with a former US Junior Champion and US Amateur champion.

But experience prevailed and the New York native saw off his younger rivals with birdie at the second sudden-death hole to secure his place alongside college student Michael Thorbjornsen.

Can't script it any better!

57-year-old Fran Quinn, with his wife as his caddie, qualified for the U.S. Open 40 minutes from where he grew up. pic.twitter.com/miwfY1D9tn
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 7, 2022

The story doesn’t end there, as Quinn’s son Owen, who was on his dad’s bag the last time he played in the the US Open in 2014, just missed out on a place at Brookline himself.

The 23-year-old could only manage rounds of 70 and 74 to miss out on a playoff. Perhaps Quinn Sr will require his services again in a few days’ time.

Elsewhere, and also showing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree was Sean Jacklin, the son of two-time major winner Tony, who qualified for his first US Open via the Florida qualifier.

Jacklin is joined by fellow Britons Harry Hall and Callum Tarren in the US Open field.

Less fortunate, though, was five-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler, who, after failing to qualify for the US Open last year, was only able to nab an alternate spot to compete at Brookline. The American will now have to await his fate as the year’s third major beckons. Failure to cement a concrete place in the field has also fuelled speculation that he will be joining former Ryder Cup buddies Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson in the controversial LIV Golf Invitational series, which tees off this week at Centurion.