The force is strong for Luke as US Open calls

Luke Donald could be ready to return from a recent spell in the golfing wilderness when he tees it up in next week’s US Open at Chambers Bay.

The Chicago-based Englishman has been tumbling down the rankings since spending a short time as the world’s No.1 player in 2011 and 2012.

And on Monday, he was forced to join 787 wannabees in America taking part in local 36-hole qualifying events at ten venues throughout the States to gain on the 55 places available in the year’s second Major.

After shooting only a level-par 72 before lunch at The Bears Club in Jupiter, Florida, it was doubtful whether Donald would be travelling to Seattle in Washingston State to start his US Open preparations this weekend. But in his second round, Donald shot a four-under-par 68, which included seven birdies, to head the field and take one of the four places up for grabs at Chambers Bay.

And he shared the delight with supporters by posting a picture on Twitter of himself having a drink, saying: “It’s been a while since I walked 36 holes, but we made it! Enjoying a nice glass of red in celebration.”

Also in a mood to celebrate after emerging with US open passes on Monday night were former winners American Lee Janzen and South African Retief Goosen.

Meanwhile, Nuneaton’s Andy Sullivan is facing an anxious five-day wait to discover whether he will be making his Major debut at Chambers Bay. The 27-year-old’s career has taken off dramatically since he recorded his first two European Tour wins in The South African Open and The Joburg Open earlier this year. He recently climbed into the world’s top 60 with a top-ten finish in the Irish Open, and a top 20 in the PGA at Wentworth.

And, after finishing 13th on his US Tour debut at last weekend’s Memorial Tournament in Ohio, he earned enough ranking points to sit 55th in the world.

However, after a run of four successive tournaments on the road, Sullivan has gone back to the Midlands this week to spend time with his young family with the US Open dominating his thoughts.

If he is still in the top 60 on Monday morning, the 29-year-old – who represented the UK & Ireland during their victorious 2011 Walker Cup – will be in the starting line-up for the US Open on Thursday.

But that will not be confirmed until after other players hunting for a last-gasp call to the year’s second Major finish their action on Sunday night in both the European Tour’s Lyoness Open in Austria, and the FedEx St Jude Classic in America.

Asked about his chances in Ohio, he said: “If it happens. It happens. To play in the US Open would be so exciting.”

But his confidence that he will get an 11th-hour ticket to play was confirmed with the fact that he already has a flight booked to Seattle on Sunday night.

Tagged Andy Sullivan, Luke Donald, US Open