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Weir Joins Blake in U.S. Open Field

Two Utah Golf Hall of Famers, Jay Don Blake and Mike Weir, will be playing in the U.S. Open next week. Blake earned a spot by being medalist in one of the USGA Sectional Qualifyings and Weir was just added to the tournament after winning an alternate spot in a sectional qualifying. The news release from the USGA detailing the final field is as follows:Ardmore, Pa. (June 10, 2013) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced that one additional player has earned a full exemption into the 2013 U.S. Open Championship, to be played June 13-16 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., bringing the number of fully exempt players to 76. In addition, five alternates from sectional qualifying were added to complete the 156-player field.Kyle Stanley earned an exemption based on the current Official World Golf Ranking. Stanley, who is ranked No. 60, is making his fourth U.S. Open appearance. The 25-year-old from Gig Harbor, Wash. recorded his best Open finish in 2009 when he tied for 53rd at Bethpage. Stanley qualified for the 2005 U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club and was a member of the 2007 USA Walker Cup Team.The USGA held six spots in the field for those players who could potentially qualify by being in the current top 60 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Since Stanley was the only player to earn an exemption, five alternates from sectional qualifying have made the field. They are Mike Weir, Harold Varner III, Ryan Palmer, Ryan Yip and Rikard Karlberg.Weir, who will play in his 13th U.S. Open, was the first alternate from the Columbus, Ohio, sectional. He made an 18-foot birdie putt on the third playoff hole in qualifying to earn the spot. Weir’s best finish in an Open was in 2003 when he tied for third at Olympia Fields. Varner III was the first alternate from the Rockville, Md., sectional. He currently plays on the eGolf Tour and was the 2012 Conference USA Golfer of the Year at East Carolina University. Varner is making his first Open appearance.Ryan Palmer was the first alternate from the Dallas sectional. He will play in his fourth U.S. Open. His best finish was a tie for 11th at Congressional Country Club in 2011. Ryan Yip was the first alternate from the Springfield, Ohio sectional. He is playing in his first Open. Yip advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2005 U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club.Karlberg was the first alternate from the England sectional. A 26-year-old from Sweden, Karlberg made his lone U.S. Open appearance in 2010 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. He has won twice on the Asian Tour.There were 111 U.S. Open local qualifying sites that led to 13 sectionals, including international sites in Japan and England on May 27. Sectional qualifying in the United States took place at 11 sites on June 3.A list of the 76 golfers fully exempt into the 2013 U.S. Open is below.2013 U.S. Open Exemption List (as of June 10): Name Categories Keegan Bradley 7, 12, 13 Hunter Mahan 12, 13Angel Cabrera 1, 6, 13 Matteo Manassero 9, 13Michael Campbell 1 Graeme McDowell 1, 11, 13Kevin Chappell 11 Rory McIlroy 1, 7, 12, 13K.J. Choi 8 Phil Mickelson 5, 12, 13Stewart Cink 6 Francesco Molinari 13Tim Clark 13 Ryan Moore 12, 13Darren Clarke 6 Geoff Ogilvy 1George Coetzee 13 Thorbjorn Olesen 13Nicolas Colsaerts 13 Louis Oosthuizen 6, 12, 13Jason Day 13 John Peterson 11Luke Donald 12, 13 Carl Pettersson 12, 13Jamie Donaldson 13 Scott Piercy 12, 13Jason Dufner 11, 12, 13 D.A. Points 13Ernie Els 6, 11, 12, 13 Ian Poulter 13Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 13 Justin Rose 12, 13Rickie Fowler 12, 13 Charl Schwartzel 5, 13a-Steven Fox 2 Adam Scott 5, 12, 13Jim Furyk 1, 11, 12, 13 John Senden 11, 12Sergio Garcia 12, 13 Marcel Siem 13Robert Garrigus 12, 13 Webb Simpson 1, 11, 12, 13Lucas Glover 1 Brandt Snedeker 12, 13Branden Grace 13 Kyle Stanley 14Bill Haas 13 Henrik Stenson 13Peter Hanson 13 Kevin Streelman 13Padraig Harrington 6, 7, 11 Steve Stricker 12, 13Russell Henley 13 Michael Thompson 11, 13Billy Horschel 13 David Toms 11John Huh 12 Bo Van Pelt 12, 13Fredrik Jacobson 13 Nick Watney 12, 13Thongchai Jaidee 13 Bubba Watson 5, 12, 13Dustin Johnson 12, 13 a-Michael Weaver 2Zach Johnson 12, 13 Boo Weekley 13Martin Kaymer 7, 13 Lee Westwood 11, 12, 13Matt Kuchar 8, 12, 13 a-Chris Williams 4Martin Laird 13 Casey Wittenberg 11Paul Lawrie 13 Tiger Woods 1, 8, 12, 13Marc Leishman 13 Y.E. Yang 7 Bold – U.S. Open Champion a-amateur Key to Player Exemptions1. Winners of the U.S. Open Championship the last 10 years (2003-12)2. Winner and runner-up of the 2012 U.S. Amateur Championship (must be an amateur)3. Winner of the 2012 British Amateur Championship (must be an amateur)4. Winner of the 2012 Mark H. McCormack Medal (top-ranked in WAGR & must be an amateur)5. Winners of the Masters Tournament the last five years (2009-13)6. Winners of the British Open Championship the last five years (2008-12)7. Winners of the PGA of America Championship the last five years (2008-12)8. Winners of the Players Championship the last three years (2011-13)9. Winner of the 2013 European Tour BMW PGA Championship10. Winner of the 2012 U.S. Senior Open Championship11. From the 2012 U.S. Open Championship, the 10 lowest scorers and anyone tying for 10th place12. Those players who qualified for the season-ending 2012 Tour Championship13. Top 60 point leaders and ties from the current World Ranking as of May 27, 201314. Top 60 point leaders and ties from the current World Ranking as of June 10, 201315. Special exemptions selected by the USGA About the USGAThe USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA governs the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, Equipment Standards and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA’s working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories and Mexico.
The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” charitable giving program. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries.
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