Padraig Harrington is one European exempt from qualifying for the 2003 US Open, which has accepted 7,820 entries for the event Olympia Fields near Chicago between June 12-15. The youngest to enter is 13-year-old Mu Su, from Florida, and the oldest is 68-year-old George Bellino, of Ohio.
Sixty-three golfers, including nine past champions, are currently fully exempt from having to qualify. The number will increase with the inclusion of the top 50 players from the world rankings, the top 10 money leaders on the US Tour and the top two money leaders on the European tour at the end of May. Local qualifying at more than 100 sites will begin on May 6.
Other exempt Europeans are Thomas Bjorn, Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia, Paul Lawrie, Colin Montgomerie, Jose Maria Olazabal and Justin Rose.
Filed by Johnny Proby
