Casas hurdles US Open elims

The Philippines’ Cassius Casas made a breakthrough of sort in the United States Open when he earned the first alternate berth in the championship slated June 13-16 in the Bethpage State Park Black’s Course in New York.

Casas, who had been struggling with poor form of late, pieced together rounds of 68-72-140 to come in joint fourth in the two-day qualifying phase in the tough Lake Merced Golf and Country Club in Daly City.

"Good game and I made it to the playoff," said Casas in a text message to Boy Blue Ocampo, operations tour manager for Asia of IMG, Casas’ local agent.

Casas beat former RP Open champion Anthony Kang (68-72), Aaron Meeks (69-71) and Todd Fischer (72-68) in the playoff.

Only three berths were staked in the Lake Merced qualifier, one of 12 sectional qualifying tournaments, with a fourth one given reserve status.

Californian Andy Miller topped the elimination with 67-68-135 followed by amateur Ricky Barnes (70-67) and Paul Goydos (66-72-138).