Former Shropshire & Herefordshire golfer Aaron Rai qualifies for US Open
Former Shropshire & Herefordshire junior golfer Aaron Rai carried his magnificent Challenge Tour form to Walton Heath to win the US Open International Sectional Qualifier and secure a Major debut at Erin Hills next month.
Rai, who has won two of the five Challenge Tour tournaments so far this season, made an incredible late dash with five birdies and an eagle in his final nine holes of the 36-hole one-day event to card a second-round 64 and win by one shot with a 14 under total.
He said: “It’s a dream come true to play in any Major, and with it being the US Open it makes it extra special.
“It’s hard to put it into words at the moment because it hasn’t really sunk in. But when it does and I get to reflect on it, it will be a dream come true.
“It was two very good rounds of golf and to win on the Challenge Tour you have to play very well also, so I wouldn’t say this is above those or that those are above this – they are all very good achievements.
“I didn’t have too many expectations coming into the round really. I didn’t’ want to get too far ahead of myself. It’s 36 holes and there is a lot of golf to be played in that period so I tried not to have too many expectations.
“It was nice on the 18th green and to have my mum and dad there was incredible, to be able to share that with them. These are moments you don’t get many times in your life so to have them for a moment like this is very special.”
