Jubilant golfer Murakami earns US Open slot

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

TOKYO (AFP) — Artemio Murakami of the Philippines was celebrating on Tuesday after earning his ticket to this year's US Open, where he will make his Majors debut.

Murakami birdied the last to clinch one of two berths, alongside Australian veteran Craig Parry, in the 36-hole qualifier at Ibaraki Country Club in Osaka, Japan.

"I'm looking forward to my first US Open at Torrey Pines, where I have played many times previously when I was a junior," said the 24-year-old.

"My goal today was to avoid bogeys. But I missed putts from seven feet on the 15th and 17th holes and to be honest, I was ready to give up after those two bogeys. So I am really happy to make birdie at the last hole to get a spot."

Murakami, winner of last year's Iskandar Johor Open in...