HARROGATE golfer John Parry will compete in next month's US Open after coming through a play-off at today's qualifying tournament at Walton Heath.

Englishman Simon Khan was the winner of the 36-hole tournament, but Parry was one of six players who finished on three under along with compatriot David Howell, Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal, Argentinian Estanislao Goya, Scotland's Chris Doak and Swede Rikard Karlberg.

They went into a play-off for the final five qualifying spots and Parry, Olazabal and Howell all made birdie on the opening play-off hole to progress.

Olazabal said: "I'm very pleased to be going to Merion. It's not very often you are involved in a six-man play-off, so I'm delighted to get through and get a place in the US Open."

Doak, Goya and Karlberg all made pars on the subsequent two additional holes before Karlberg struck a tree with his tee shot on the fourth and could only make bogey, meaning the Swede was the unfortunate man to miss out.

Khan put aside his recent play-off problems to win the 36-hole tournament, having been beaten by Matteo Manassero at the fourth extra hole at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth on Sunday. Rounds of 67 and 70 saw him safely through to the US Open, which begins at Merion on June 13.

Khan's aggregate score of 137 was good enough to leave him seven under, one shot clear of fellow Englishman Paul Casey and South African Jaco van Zyl.

"I'm delighted with today," said Khan. "It was tough out there with a lot of cross winds. I had a little wobble around the turn but then settled down with three birdies in a row. I dropped one on 16 but I was beginning to flag by then.

"Yesterday I did everything I could. I would not have done anything different but it didn't work out. When I won the BMW PGA Championship there was a downside in that I shut off a little bit after reaching one of my all-time goals of winning a tournament like that.

"Hopefully, this time I can look at it the other way round and kick on from here. I don't know a lot about Merion but it looks fantastic from the pictures I've seen. It looks quite tricky and a bit shorter, which hopefully will suit me.
It will be my third US Open and I love the tournament, so it will be fantastic to go back."

Casey looked to be struggling after firing a 74 in his first round but he followed that up with a 64 and the former world number three is hoping to now be able to put his recent problems with a shoulder injury behind him.

"I played lovely today," said Casey. "It was the first qualifier I've played, so I didn't know what to expect. We had great crowds and it was a golf course I played a lot as a kid, so I'm ecstatic to come through.

"For me, the US Open is right up there along with the Open Championship. I don't know a lot about Merion but I've played a lot of US Opens and I love them. I know it is going to be tough but I'm looking forward to it."

Dane Morten Orum Madsen secured his place as he finished on five under, one shot clear of Sweden's Peter Hedblom, Englishman Eddie Pepperell and Australian Marcus Fraser.