USGA announces exemptions to amateur players for US Open and US Women’s Open Championships
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has reportedly unveiled names of players who have been given exemptions for a host of events slated for the 2012 season.
The USGA announced, on Monday, that it has released a full list of exemptions, and a number of amateur players from across the world will be participating in the US Open and other events.
Moreover, the list said the players will also be given access to the prestigious event of US Women’s Open Championships.
In addition to the US Open and US Women’s Open Championships, there have also been some exemption changes made specifically for the US Senior Open and amateur championships.
The announcement made at the Annual Meeting of USGA, held at Houston, was welcomed by a number of players, as there are many players who had been wishing to gain access to the big events scheduled for the year.
The USGA singled out some tournaments as the yardstick for exemptions. For instance, the British Amateur is the event that will help its winners gain access to the US Open.
Moreover, the winner of the Ladies British Open Amateur Championships will automatically gain full exemption to US Women’s Open Championships.
Mark H McCormack Medal is also included among the tournaments that will get its winner full exemption to the US Open.
One of the prominent faces that gained exemptions is Aussie Bryden Macpherson.
Playing at the University of Georgia, Macpherson was amazing in the British Amateur Champion in the 2011 season. He outplayed Michael Stewart at the Hillside Golf Club, Southport, England.
The Executive Director of USGA, Mike Davis put his complete trust in the Association’s decision of giving exemptions to a number of players.
He said that the events are very competitive and the participation of these players will make them even livelier.
Lydia Ko also is among the exempted players. The 14-year-old Kiwi star gained the Mark H McCormack Medal in 2011, making the USGA officials to consider her strength.
“Both the British Amateur and the British Ladies Open Amateur championships have long and storied histories with deep connections to the USGA, so it is appropriate that these champions earn a full exemption into the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open championships,”
Davis said.
He further said that the association’s relationship with R&A has given the sport a real boost, making the procedure easier for amateur players.
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