Golf: Tataurangi qualifies for US Open

Philip Tataurangi will line up with defending champion Michael Campbell. Picture / Kenny Rodger.

New Zealand golfer Phil Tataurangi has qualified to play in the US Open, after winning through in sectional play in New Jersey.

Tataurangi was five-under par through 36 holes, to be among the 22 qualifiers from a field of 153.

He will now line up with defending champion Michael Campbell, a teammate in the world championship-winning New Zealand amateur team in 1992.

American Michelle Wie failed in her bid to become the first woman to play in the US Open golf championship, in the same sectional qualifier.

Three straight bogeys sent Wie to a 3-over 75 and plunged her into the middle of the pack.

Tataurangi returned to the PGA Tour this season after battling a major back injury for two-and-a-half years.

His long layoff was the result of a herniated disc at the base of the spine, which he had operated on in 2003. He had earlier been plagued by a neck injury and heart problems.

He first joined the PGA Tour in 1994, 18 months after playing a key role in New Zealand's historic victory at the 1992 Eisenhower Trophy world amateur teams event in Canada, where he was the leading individual.

He had his best season in 2002 when he made 19 of 25 cuts, won the Invensys Classic of Las Vegas and saw his world ranking peak at No 74.

He is one of seven New Zealanders - along with Sir Bob Charles, John Lister, Frank Nobilo, Grant Waite, Craig Perks and Campbell - to have won on the PGA Tour.

Tataurangi's medical exemption allows him to play 21 events on the PGA Tour this year as he tries to retain his playing privileges by matching the earnings of US$616,722 ($988,336) banked by the 125th-ranked player on tour in 2004, Tag Ridings.

In seven events this year Tataurangi has won US$49,702, making three cuts . His best finish was 34th at the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.

His world ranking has fallen to 721.

-NZPA