Steve Stricker, Keegan Bradley, Stewart Cink and Bryson DeChambeau were among the players who punched their ticket to the 117th US Open via sectional qualifiers on Monday, writes WADE PRETORIUS.

Stricker’s story dominated headlines, since the 50-year-old was forced to go through qualifying after failing in a bid to get an exemption into the second Major of the year – which will be played at Erin Hills, just an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the course.

Stricker shot 67-65 at Ridgeway and Germantown Country Clubs to seal his place in the 156-man field and at the top of his qualifier. Joining Sticker in the field will be Andres Romero, Troy Merritt, Chez Reavie, Harris English, Garrett Osborn and Trey Mullinax. At the same venue, Whee Kim, Xander Schauffele and Jonathan Randolph are in a playoff that will resume on Tuesday for the final two spots.

There was heartbreak for South African Retief Goosen, who finished three shots out of the qualifying with rounds of 68-69.

At Brookside Golf and Country Club, 120 players teed up for 14 spots, with  J.T. Poston setting the pace at -12. Jason Kokrak, Bud Cauley, Martin Laird, Keegan Bradley, Stewart Cink, Jamie Lovemark, Bryson DeChambeau and David Lingmerth all qualified, but Michael Putnam, Peter Uihlein, amateur Scottie Scheffler and Talor Gooch will play off for the final three spots Tuesday.

Among the notable players to have missed the mark were England’s Luke Donald and American trio Morgan Hoffmann, Nick Watney and Patrick Cantlay.

Hunter Mahan was at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, where 58 players were in the running for three spots, which were grabbed by Roman Robledo, Nick Flanagan and
Walker Lee (A).

Tony Finau, Zac Blair, James Hahn and Billy Hurley III also missed out at their respective venues.