Golf Jul 02, 2026

US Open Final Qualifying: Graeme McDowell secures return at Shinnecock Hills, Sergio Garcia misses out, Nathan Kimsey to make his debut

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
US Open Final Qualifying: Graeme McDowell secures return at Shinnecock Hills, Sergio Garcia misses out, Nathan Kimsey to make his debut

Former champion Graeme McDowell secured a return to the US Open 16 years after his victory at Pebble Beach by coming through a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas, while Nathan Kimsey will make his debut at Shinnecock Hill.

The Northern Irishman shot back-to-back rounds of 69 at Dallas Athletic Club to finish in a share of fifth place, with the top nine players securing a ticket to Shinnecock Hills next month.

The 46-year-old will be playing his first major since his 10-year exemption for winning the 2010 US Open expired six years ago.

Englishman Nathan Kimsey tied the course record at Walton Heath after opening with a four under 68 on the Old Course, firing six birdies and two eagles during his bogey-free final round on the New Course to reach 14 under par after 36 holes.

The 33-year-old will now make his US Open debut at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21.

"I'm obviously over the moon. You come to these qualifier events, and you have to play some good golf on one day. A lot of the time you end up walking away disappointed but it's great to play great golf and grab a spot at the US Open."

American Peter Uihlein topped the leaderboard on nine under to secure his first major appearance since 2018, with former Open runner-up Tom Kim a shot further back.

Former Masters champion Garcia missed out on a six-man play-off for the final spot by two shots after finishing on one under, while England's Danny Willett and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin both withdrew.

LIV Golf players, former major champions and past Ryder Cup stars were among those in action across two qualifying sites, one at Dallas Country Club in Texas and one at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey.

Seven places were available in England and nine in Dallas across the 36-hole tournaments, with final qualifying events also being held in Japan (May 25) and 10 more in the United States on June 8 - dubbed 'golf's longest day' - to earn spots in the third men's major of the year.

Scottie Scheffler will arrive at this year's US Open with the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills, live from June 18-21 on Your Site Golf, while JJ Spaun returns as defending champion after last year's two-shot victory.

The top 60 in the Official World Rankings on May 18 are exempt into this US Open, confirming world No 49 Adam Scott his place in the field and a 100th consecutive major appearance.

Scott's streak began at The Open in 2001 and secured his spot with a tied-fourth finish at the Cadillac Championship earlier this month. It marks the longest major streak since Jack Nicklaus played in 146 in a row from The Masters in 1962 to the 1998 US Open.

Alex Smalley - joint runner-up at the PGA Championship - jumped to world No 42 and secured his place, while Matti Schmid (tied-fourth) earned one of five exemptions awarded to leading players in the FedExCup standings who are not already exempt.

There are 25 exemption categories for players to get into the 156-player field, including pathways via the PGA Tour, DP World Tour's Race to Dubai, the LIV Golf League, the Korn Ferry Tour, the US Senior Open and the amateur game. The full list is available .

Your Site Golf will once again show round-the-clock coverage for the 2026 contest, with all four rounds live from Shinnecock Hills and a host of bonus programming available throughout the week.

Watch live coverage of the US Open from 12.30pm on Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19 on Your Site Golf, with action live until at least 1am during both the first two rounds.

Live coverage begins at 3pm for the third round on Saturday June 20 and 4pm for the final day on Sunday June 21, running until long after the final putt both days, with the final round then repeated in full a day later?

Who will win the US Open? Watch the third men's major of the year live from June 18-21 on Your Site Golf. or .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Who has won The Masters? Year-by-year winners of the Green Jacket and every past major victory at Augusta National

Who has won The Masters? Year-by-year winners of the Green Jacket and every past major victory at Augusta National

Who has won The Masters? Which players have enjoyed the most success at Augusta National? We look at the previous winners of the opening major of the...

Tiger Woods needs accountability for 'self-inflicted' struggles and latest DUI car crash, suggests Sir Nick Faldo

Tiger Woods needs accountability for 'self-inflicted' struggles and latest DUI car crash, suggests Sir Nick Faldo

Sir Nick Faldo has called on Tiger Woods to be made accountable for his ‘self-inflicted’ actions, following his decision to step away from the sport a...

Ryder Cup 2027: Jon Rahm confident he can 'work out' deal with DP World Tour to avoid ban and stay eligible for Team Europe

Ryder Cup 2027: Jon Rahm confident he can 'work out' deal with DP World Tour to avoid ban and stay eligible for Team Europe

Jon Rahm insists he is confident of being able to negotiate an agreement with the DP World Tour that would keep him eligible to feature for Europe’s R...

The Masters Par 3 Contest recap: Aaron Rai takes victory as Frankie Fleetwood makes headlines again at Augusta National

The Masters Par 3 Contest recap: Aaron Rai takes victory as Frankie Fleetwood makes headlines again at Augusta National

Watford reject Hull's bid for IrankundaLatest from Your Site News' Anthony Joseph: Watford have rejected a 10m bid from Hull City for forward Nes...

Tom Watson hits out at PGA Tour and calls for tougher punishments for LIV Golf League players being allowed to return

Tom Watson hits out at PGA Tour and calls for tougher punishments for LIV Golf League players being allowed to return

Former major champion Tom Watson has criticised the PGA Tour for allowing players who left the tour for the rival LIV Golf League the chance to return...

The Masters 2026: Fred Ridley says pro golf becoming 'more one-dimensional' and urges change to hitting distances

The Masters 2026: Fred Ridley says pro golf becoming 'more one-dimensional' and urges change to hitting distances

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley insists "failure is not an option" when trying to reduce hitting distances that have made golf more "one-dimensi...