(Reuters) - England's former world number one Luke Donald led a host of big-name players who fought their way through 36 holes of qualifying on Monday to secure spots at next week's U.S. Open.
At 10 sectional sites throughout the country, little-known competitors and former champions alike were battling for the chance to qualify for the June 18-21 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington.
Donald, a five-times winner on the PGA Tour who tied for eighth in the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion, fired scores of level-par 72 and 68 to advance with three other players from a field of 70 in the qualifier at The Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida.