Former Northland golfer Doug Batty has qualified for next week's United States Open at Bethpage, New York.
Batty, 29, today finished second in a four-way play-off at the Saticoy Country Club in Somis, California, to secure his US Open berth.
His first-round 74 was followed up by a two under par 70, leaving him tied for second with American Michael Miles on 144. Korean Charlie Wi won the sectional qualifying tournament from 79 other competitors with a three-under 141 total.
Nearly 800 golfers were vying for a US Open berth at 13 different golf clubs around America today.
Batty will be joined at Bethpage by fellow New Zealander David Smail, who qualified for the US Open late last month after topping a 144-strong field at a qualifying event in Ryugasaki, Japan.
Smail, 39, has played in five British Opens, and one US Open in 2003.
The only other New Zealander in the Bethpage field is Michael Campbell, who is exempt from qualifying after winning the tournament in 2005.
Eighteen-year-old rookie professional Danny Lee missed out on qualifying at the sectional tournament in Columbus, Ohio, today when he couldn't back up a solid opening 69, falling off the pace with a second 73.
Seventeen golfers qualified from Columbus, with such illustrious names as Charles Howell, Davis Love and Jose Maria Olazabal missing out.
Tim Wilkinson withdrew from the qualifying sectional in Memphis, Tennessee.
NZPA