Shane Lowry claims top spot in 2014 International Qualifying for the US Open

Having secured the runner-up place at this year’s BMW PGA Championship, missing out to Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry has secured his place in the US Open at Pinehurst on June 12-15

This year’s International Qualifiers for the 2014 US Open Championship at Pinehurst saw Shane Lowry claim number one spot with a total score of eight under par.

Lowry scored a 69 on the New Course and a 67 on the Old Course at Walton Heath on Monday May 26.

Reflecting on the day’s events Lowry said: “I played okay and putted really, really well.

"I holed a lot of six to eight footers for par and carried a lot of momentum in from yesterday to get the job done.

“I was three under this morning and this afternoon chipped in for eagle to get to five, so that got me going.”

Playing at this year’s international qualifiers were 105 golfers looking to gain one of the 14 spots available at the US Open.

Niclas Fasth, Simon Gritths, Graeme Storm, Marcel Siem, Max Kieffer, Chris Doak, Brooks Koepka and Garth Mulroy all automatically gained spots to play at Pinehurst in June.

Six players had to play off for the final four spots available.

Oliver Fisher, an English golfer, Italian Andrea Pavan and Demark’s Lucas Bjerregaard all succeeded in securing the available place, with all making birdie at the first extra hole.

This year's US Open will see Germany’s Max Kieffer playing his first major.

Commenting on his chances at the Open, Kieffer said: “Normally I play well on tough courses, so even though I haven’t been there yet, I think I can do well.

“To make it to my first Major is awesome. It’s going to be great for my game and you can only take positives from something like this.”

Lowry explained his joy at clinching victory at the qualifers despite finishing one stroke behind McIlroy at the BMW PGA Championships at the weekend.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to Pinehurst. Majors are where I want to be playing.

“Last week I was comfortable competing down the stretch with the likes of Thomas Björn, Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald, so I’ve got a lot of confidence and I’ll take that with me to Pinehurst.”

Some of the major names that didn’t secure a place at this year’s US Open were Ireland’s Padraig Harrington who shot a 75 on the New Course and a 71 on the Old Course.

Jose Maria Olazabal, a two-time major winner, also missed out on the opportunity to play at Pinehurst in June.