Walker ends wait for Major chance

From the depths of 436th in the world and 189th on the European Order of Merit - he has missed nine of his last 10 halfway cuts - Walker grabbed one of the nine US Open places on offer in the qualifying tournament at Walton Heath in Surrey.

"This is a great achievement for me," said the 29-year-old from Birmingham, who has already made nine trips to the European Tour qualifying school in his career. "I just wish my Nan was here to see it. She used to follow me every single day of the week, but she died four weeks ago. We were all devastated."

He added: "You want to stand on the big stage and compete against the best. It's my first major and I'm so looking forward to it. I could hardly sleep thinking about it."

Three years ago Walker, a former England boy international, lost a play-off in an Open qualifier at Sunningdale that also featured Colin Montgomerie.

Now he is heading to the Oakmont course on which Montgomerie lost a play-off to eventual winner Ernie Els and American Loren Roberts in 1994.

His rounds of 67 and 71 yesterday left him in seventh place on six under par. That was two behind the three joint winners - Liverpudlian Nick Dougherty, Swede Peter Hanson and South African Darren Fichardt.

Hanson also finished joint first two years ago, while Dougherty came through that day as well for what was then his first major.

"Pinehurst was the most eye-opening experience I've had in my pro career and I can't understand why guys pulled out this week," he said.

"I find it unbelievable that you would pass up this opportunity. Everyone can make their own decisions. I must have a lot of ambition!"