Faldo cracks open qualifying bottle

Nick Faldo will play in his 17th consecutive US Open after making a birdie on the final hole at a sectional qualifier to claim one of three available places.

Nick Faldo will play in his 17th consecutive US Open after making a birdie on the final hole at a sectional qualifier to claim one of three available places.

Faldo, a six-times major championship winner, finished at five-under 139 in the 36-hole qualifier on Tuesday at the Lake Nona Country Club here.

"I'm very proud of myself," said Faldo, who has won three Opens and three US Masters titles, but has never won the US Open. "Five under par is a blooming good result for this day. I'll definitely go home and crack open a bottle of the good stuff to celebrate this one."

Camilo Villegas, an All-American from the University of Florida competing as a pro for the first time, and a PGA Tour pro, Tripp Isenhour, also finished five under to earn the other two spots.

All three advance to next week's US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

Faldo shot a two-under-par 70 on the first 18 holes. He was still two under at the turn of his second round before birdies on the first three holes of his final nine took him to five under. He dropped to four under after a bogey on his 14th hole. On the par-five ninth, his last hole, Faldo made birdie despite hitting his second shot into a greenside bunker.