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Singh and Randhawa qualify for US Open

The Indian duo of Asian Tour stalwarts Jeev Milkha Singh and Jyoti Randhawa have successfully qualified for the US Open through sectional qualifying at Walton Heath, England on Monday.

Randhawa finished tied second with superb rounds of 71 and 67 out of a field of 47 players while compatriot Singh, currently leading the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, finished a stroke back in equal fifth place with rounds of 70 and 69.

It will be Randhawa's first appearance in the US Open, which will be played at Winged Foot in New York later this month while Singh qualified and played in all four rounds at the US Open in 2002 which was his maiden major appearance then.

Dutchman Maarten Lafeber comfortably claimed top spot at Walton Heath with rounds of 64 and 66 where eight places to Winged Foot were at available for the year's second Major.

Randhawa earned his place with a second round 67 which included six birdies in the last nine holes. For Singh, it will be a chance to visit his sister Dr Mona, who lives in New York.

England's Simon Dyson, currently fourth on the UBS Order of Merit, shot two 74s to miss the boat to New York.

Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin was delighted with the Indian duo's success. "This is a double celebration for Indian golf and the Asian Tour. Jeev and Jyoti are amongst the best players in the region and we are confident they will represent their country and the Asian Tour well in New York."

This season, Singh has been a relevation, first ending a seven year title drought by winning the Volvo China Open in Beijing which is co-sanctioned with the European Tour. Randhawa, Asia's number one in 2002, has also played solidly in his rookie season in Europe this year and was tied 14th in last week's Celtic Manor Wales Open.

June 6, 2006