Clarke and Lawrie head slew of withdrawals at US Open qualifier

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It is the route used by New Zealander Michael Campbell when he won his first major title three years ago, but since the introduction of the event that season it has always suffered from a large number of withdrawals.

Ducking the US Open: Paul Lawrie

Among those who have decided to skip the chance to compete in the second major of the year are Darren Clarke, former Open champion Paul Lawrie, recent Irish Open and Spanish Open winners Richard Finch and Peter Lawrie and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, currently 10th in the Ryder Cup race.

Clarke made his decision two weeks ago, saying: "My schedule is firmly based around Europe and my goal is to make the Ryder Cup team."

He and others feel that a trip out to California if they made it through the qualifier was not going to benefit them in the coming weeks.

Just over a week ago a total of 76 players were listed for the qualifier, but that is now down to 50 and organisers could well be asking golfers in America who just failed at local qualifying level if they fancy filling the gaps in Surrey.

Around nine places at Torrey Pines will be on offer, so there is now a great chance for the likes of 19-year-old Rory McIlroy and Dubliner Paul McGinley to get there.

For McIlroy, top amateur at last year's Open, it would be a first major in America.

The field also includes one amateur in twice British champion Gary Wolstenholme - he lost a play-off to Phillip Archer two years ago - but Danny Willett's decision to turn professional last week means he cannot now take part.

Miguel Angel Jimenez, Oliver Wilson, Robert Karlsson and Martin Kaymer no longer need to be there after earning exemptions at last week's BMW PGA Championship.