Queenslander Cameron Smith has joined the list of eight Australians who will tee it up in the United States Open at Chambers Bay later this month.
Smith, the 21-year-old member of Golf Australia’s rookie squad, qualified today after he shot eight-under over 36 holes in sectional qualifying in Columbus, Ohio.
It was enough to give the former Australian amateur champion the right to play his first US Open from June 18-21.
Smith has made impressive strides since turning professional in 2013, finishing fifth on the Asian Tour order of merit last year.
The eight Australians already qualified for the US Open are Smith, Adam Scott, Jason Day, Marc Leishman, Geoff Ogilvy, John Senden, Kurt Barnes and Marcus Fraser.
There is a further cut-off point after the St Jude Classic this week on the US PGA Tour, where the top 60 on the world rankings who have not already qualified will earn a start.
This is the opportunity for another Queenslander, Steven Bowditch, who is at No. 64 on the rankings this week.