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US Open Final Qualifying: Graeme McDowell secures return at Shinnecock Hills, Sergio Garcia misses out, Nathan Kimsey to make his debut

Graeme McDowell secures a return to the US Open 16 years after his victory at Pebble Beach as former Masters champion Sergio Garcia misses out; Nathan Kimsey will make his debut at Shinnecock Hills; watch the US Open live from June 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf

Tuesday 19 May 2026 08:23, UK

Graeme McDowell of Smash GC looks on during the third round of HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong at Hong Kong Golf Club Fanling on Saturday, March 07,
Image: Graeme McDowell secured a return to the US Open 16 years after his victory at Pebble Beach

Former champion Graeme McDowell secured a return to the US Open 16 years after his victory at Pebble Beach by coming through a 36-hole qualifier in Dallas, while Nathan Kimsey will make his debut at Shinnecock Hill.

The Northern Irishman shot back-to-back rounds of 69 at Dallas Athletic Club to finish in a share of fifth place, with the top nine players securing a ticket to Shinnecock Hills next month.

The 46-year-old will be playing his first major since his 10-year exemption for winning the 2010 US Open expired six years ago.

Nathan Kimsey of England plays his second shot on the 9th hole during Day four of the Le Vaudreuil Golf Challenge on July 10, 2022, at Golf
Image: Nathan Kimsey tied the course record at Walton Heath

Englishman Nathan Kimsey tied the course record at Walton Heath after opening with a four under 68 on the Old Course, firing six birdies and two eagles during his bogey-free final round on the New Course to reach 14 under par after 36 holes.

The 33-year-old will now make his US Open debut at Shinnecock Hills from June 18-21.

"I'm obviously over the moon. You come to these qualifier events, and you have to play some good golf on one day. A lot of the time you end up walking away disappointed but it's great to play great golf and grab a spot at the US Open."

American Peter Uihlein topped the leaderboard on nine under to secure his first major appearance since 2018, with former Open runner-up Tom Kim a shot further back.

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May 10, 2026: Sergio Garcia finishes on the 18th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Virginia on the Trump National Golf Club
Image: Sergio Garcia missed out on a six-man play-off for the final spot

Former Masters champion Garcia missed out on a six-man play-off for the final spot by two shots after finishing on one under, while England's Danny Willett and Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin both withdrew.

LIV Golf players, former major champions and past Ryder Cup stars were among those in action across two qualifying sites, one at Dallas Country Club in Texas and one at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey.

Seven places were available in England and nine in Dallas across the 36-hole tournaments, with final qualifying events also being held in Japan (May 25) and 10 more in the United States on June 8 - dubbed 'golf's longest day' - to earn spots in the third men's major of the year.

Scottie Scheffler will arrive at this year's US Open with the opportunity to complete the career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills, live from June 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf, while JJ Spaun returns as defending champion after last year's two-shot victory.

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JJ Spaun's winning putt at the US Open sparked mass celebrations on the 18th green and left clubhouse leader Bob MacIntyre stunned.

Scott secures 100th consecutive major

The top 60 in the Official World Rankings on May 18 are exempt into this US Open, confirming world No 49 Adam Scott his place in the field and a 100th consecutive major appearance.

Adam Scott, of Australia, looks at his ball on the 10th green during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament
Image: Adam Scott won The Masters in 2013, his only major title

Scott's streak began at The Open in 2001 and secured his spot with a tied-fourth finish at the Cadillac Championship earlier this month. It marks the longest major streak since Jack Nicklaus played in 146 in a row from The Masters in 1962 to the 1998 US Open.

Alex Smalley - joint runner-up at the PGA Championship - jumped to world No 42 and secured his place, while Matti Schmid (tied-fourth) earned one of five exemptions awarded to leading players in the FedExCup standings who are not already exempt.

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Highlights from the final round of the PGA Championship, as Aaron Rai claimed a maiden major title with victory at Aronimink Golf Club

There are 25 exemption categories for players to get into the 156-player field, including pathways via the PGA Tour, DP World Tour's Race to Dubai, the LIV Golf League, the Korn Ferry Tour, the US Senior Open and the amateur game. The full list is available via the USGA website.

When is the US Open live on Sky Sports?

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Highlights from the final round of the US Open from Oakmont Country Club as JJ Spaun claimed a maiden major title with a stunning 65ft birdie putt on the final hole to clinch victory.

Sky Sports Golf will once again show round-the-clock coverage for the 2026 contest, with all four rounds live from Shinnecock Hills and a host of bonus programming available throughout the week.

Watch live coverage of the US Open from 12.30pm on Thursday June 18 and Friday June 19 on Sky Sports Golf, with action live until at least 1am during both the first two rounds.

Live coverage begins at 3pm for the third round on Saturday June 20 and 4pm for the final day on Sunday June 21, running until long after the final putt both days, with the final round then repeated in full a day later?

Who will win the US Open? Watch the third men's major of the year live from June 18-21 on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

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