Cappelen Qualifies For U.S. Open
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Already heading north to play in this weekend’s Rust-Oleum Championship on the Web.com Tour, former Arkansas four-time All-American Sebastian Cappelen arrived in Ohio a little early for a chance earn a spot in next week’s 115th U.S. Open held at Chambers Bay in Washington.
Playing in the Columbus sectional, Cappelen opened the 36-hole day on Monday with a one-under 71, but responded with an eight-under 64 in the afternoon to earn one of the 15 spots out of loaded 120-player field at Brookside Golf & Country Club/The Lake Golf & Country Club. The U.S. Open is June 18-21.
Taking on a field that featured past major champions Vijay Singh, Mike Weir, Ben Curtis and Stewart Cink, Cappelen sat in 44th place after his first round on Brookside Golf & Country Club, well outside the top 15. Cappelen ended the morning round with good momentum, though, carding a bogey-free three-under 33 on the back nine.
The momentum from the morning round certainly stayed with Cappelen in the afternoon at Lake Golf & Country Club, as his eight-under 64 vaulted him up the leaderboard into a tie for fifth place and onto the 115th U.S. Open. Cappelen’s 64 equaled the lowest round turned in on the 36-hole day, featuring one eagle and seven birdies.
Despite his win at the Memorial Tournament less than 24 hours prior to the Monday qualifier, former Arkansas All-American David Lingmerth wasn’t awarded an automatic spot in the U.S. Open. Lingmerth joined Cappelen at the ultra-competitive section in Columbus, but just missed the 15-man cut at three-under par.
The field also included past PGA Tour winners Steve Stricker, Nick Watney, Kevin Streelman, Bo Van Pelt, Aaron Baddeley, Nick Taylor, Brendan Steele, Rory Sabbatini, D.A. Points, Pat Perez, James Hahn and Robert Allenby.
