Padraig Harrington won’t get to play the US Open after his induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame at Pinehurst next week after opting to withdraw from Final Qualifying today.
The Dubliner (52) opted to withdraw from today’s 36 hole qualifier at Ohio State University, where Seamus Power tries his luck, as he’s recently battled knee trouble and felt 36 holes and the added travel stress was not going to be good for his body.
There are ten final qualifying events in the US today with 2010 champion Graeme McDowell teeing it up The Bear’s Club in Florida.
Irish golf will have at least three men at Pinehurst No 2 with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry joined by major debutant Tom McKibbin, who tied for eighth as England’s Laurie Canter claimed his maiden win at the European Open in Hamburg.
A one-under 72 gave Canter a two-shot win over DP World Tour winners Bernd Wiesberger and Thriston Lawrence on 13-under as defending champion McKibbin shot 74 to finish six behind in eighth place and claim his fourth top-10 this season.