Browne shoots 59 to make U.S. Open

ROCKVILLE, Md., June 8 (UPI) -- Olin Browne shot a 59 Tuesday at the Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md., to qualify for this year's U.S. Open golf tournament.

Browne shot 73 on Monday and had considered withdrawing from the sectional event. He shot 29 over his final nine holes, including two eagles and two birdies, to finish with an overall score of 132. That was easily enough to beat out the 156-player field to qualify for his eighth U.S. Open.

Among those failing to qualify was long-time PGA veteran Tom Kite, who will miss the Open for the first time since 1973; 2004 U.S. Amateur semifinalist Jeff Overton; 1998 U.S. Amateur champion Hank Kuehne, who withdrew; and former major tournament winners Mark Brooks and Mark O'Meara.

"You just have to play well and if you don't, well you don't make it," said a disappointed Kite.

The U.S. Open will be played June 16-19 at Pinehurst, N.C.