Scottish hopefuls come up short in US Open qualifier at Walton Heath

Bob MacIntyre, last year’s runner-up, could be flying the Saltire on his own for a third major in a row in next month’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills.

It follows Ewen Ferguson and Cameron Adam both coming up short in a European qualifier for the USGA major at Walton Heath on Monday.

With seven automatic spots up for grabs, Ferguson was in the hunt after carding a five-under-par 67 in his opening round on the New Course at the Surrey venue.

Ewen Ferguson had spot in his sights after strong opening round at Walton Heath before paying the price for stuttering at the start of the second circuit | Getty Images

That left him sitting tied for ninth at the halfway stage, but the three-time DP World Tour winner soon found himself on the back foot in his afternoon round on the Old Course.

Two after six holes, he fought hard to turn it around, picking up birdies at the eighth, 11th and 14th to sign for a 71 and a six-under aggregate.

However, that was only good enough for a share of 19th spot, finishing alongside Adam after the DP World Tour rookie followed an opening 70 on the Old with a 68 over the New.

Former St Andrews Links Trophy winner secures US Open spot

Top spot went to Englishman Nathan Kimsey as the 2022 HotelPlanner Tour No 1 carded two eagles and six birdies in a second-round ten-under-par 62 on the New Course.

Posting a 14-under total, Kimsey finished two shots ahead of Spaniard Rocco Repetto Taylor, with former St Andrews Links Trophy winner Matthew Jordan sharing third spot with Italian Filippo Celli, Angel Hidalgo from Spain and Dane Niklas Norgaard.

Nathan Kimsey shows off his medal for being the leading qualifier after being presented with it by the USGA’s Greg Sanfilippo at Walton Heath | Getty Images

“ I had a taste of a Major for the first time at The Open last year so it will be great to see what the U.S. Open is and how that whole tournament comes together,” said Kimsey. “Competing against the best players in the world is something so just over the moon to have qualified and it will be a great trip out to the United States.”

Frenchman Ugo Coussaud secured the final automatic spot in a play-off after a four-way tie on ten under. In it, two alternative spots went to South African Hennie Du Plessis and England’s Andrew Wilson, with Belgian Thomas Detry ending up as the player being the most disappointed on the day.

In another event at Dallas Athletic Club, nine qualifiers included 2010 winner Graeme McDowell, as well as former DP World Tour Rookie of the Year Peter Uihlein and three-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim.

Non-qualifiers in that shoot-out included Ryder Cup star Sergio Garcia and new Spanish sensations Eugenio Chacarra and Jose Luis Ballester.

Similar events are being held at nine venues in the US and one in Canada on 8 June, so there is still a chance that MacIntyre will have at least one compatriot for company on Long Island.