Maybin secures his place

US OPEN QUALIFYING:GARETH MAYBIN is proof you don't always go the direct route from A to B to reach your destination. Having initially plied his trade on the mini-tours in the United States after graduating from college, the much-travelled 29-year-old Ulsterman will return stateside for next month's US Open at Pebble Beach after securing one of the precious spots available at the international qualifying tournament in Walton Heath, on the outskirts of London yesterday.

Maybin – who played the Hooters Tour in America before returning to Europe where he secured a full tour card via the Challenge Tour – will make his major debut in next month’s championship, bringing the Irish contingent to four as he joins fellow Ulstermen Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell as well as Dubliner Pádraig Harrington in the field.

That number could yet increase, as Cork native Niall Turner came through local qualifying in Minneapolis last week and will compete in final sectional qualifying next week.

Maybin produced a superb second round of 65 to add to his opening effort of 71 for 136, finishing in tied-third behind England’s James Morrison. It comfortably gave him one of the qualifying places, with the final five places only decided after a play-off where the new BMW PGA champion Simon Khan was the odd man out of six players chasing five places.

He was the only player not to birdie the first hole of sudden-death, but will become first reserve for the major and could yet find himself teeing up.

Khan decided he would pull out of this week’s Madrid Masters after failing to win one of the 11 spots on offer for the US Open, citing fatigue, while Darren Clarke also withdrew from the tournament after failing to come through. “I’m flogging a bit of a dead horse at the moment and need a break. I’m just not enjoying it. I’m trying hard, but it ain’t happening,” said Clarke.

In contrast, Maybin is enjoying his best season, which has featured three top-10s on the European Tour including a runner-up finish to Marcus Fraser in the Ballantine’s Championship last month. Now, he is off for a maiden appearance in a major at Pebble Beach.