Illness forces Millar out of US Open qualifying
Australian Matthew Millar’s attempt to qualify for next week’s US Open lasted just three holes at Walton Heath in England today.
Among just 52 players competing for nine places at Oakmont, Millar withdrew because of sickness.
“I was up all night and although I decided to give it a go I soon realised I wasn’t up to it,” said the 30-year-old from Wollongong in New South Wales.
“I’m going back home tonight for a couple of weeks, so I just hope I feel better for the flight.”
Millar, who narrowly held onto a European Tour card last season and is currently in the same 115th spot this year, was in a two-ball with Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth and stayed with him for a few more holes until a marker arrived.
Forsyth had been expecting to play with compatriot Stephen Gallacher, but he was among a large number of late withdrawals from the qualifier.
Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley, two of the heroes of last year’s Ryder Cup victory, were among those left to battle it out.
Clarke, who has missed his last five halfway cuts in Europe and America and been forced out of three more events because of a hamstring injury, last played a qualifying tournament for a major in 1995.
He was paired with Jean Van de Velde, who also faces having to qualify for next month’s Open at Carnoustie – scene, of course, of his closing triple bogey when three ahead in 1999.
