New South Welshman Aron Price outlasted the field and the nearly four inches
of rain from Tropical Storm Colin to emerge as the medalist on Tuesday in the
U.S. Open sectional qualifier at Timuquana Country Club.

Price earned his way into next week’s 116th U.S. Open Championship at
Oakmont Country Club with rounds of 69-66 for a 9-under-par total of 135.

"I’ve played the Open only once – at Pinehurst two years ago," said Price,
34, who has competed on the Web.com Tour and the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada
this year. "It was amazing to qualify for that Open, but I was really nervous."

Price, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., had only one blemish on his
card when play resumed Tuesday after heavy rains and stormy conditions
suspended Monday’s qualifier at 3:05 p.m.

Price started play at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday on No. 12 with three putts from 20
feet, his first putt sliding 10 feet past the hole. After that wake-up bogey,
he recorded five birdies in his next 15 holes.

"I think I missed one fairway in two rounds and only a few greens," said
Price, who plays Timuquana four or five times a year. "I just played really
steady."

Price’s Jacksonville golf buddy, Tim Wilkinson of New Zealand, will make his
major-championship debut at Oakmont after carding rounds of 69-68 to finish
second at 7-under 137 in his fifth sectional attempt.

"It feels great, especially to qualify for Oakmont," said Wilkinson, 37, who
tied for fourth at this year’s AT&T Byron Nelson. "When you play on tour
and you’ve done well, it’s an advantage confidence-wise in trying to qualify."

The left-hander qualified for the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, but
tore a ligament in his right thumb and was forced to withdraw. He was out for a
while with the thumb injury and "lost some confidence," which he says he has
worked hard to rebuild.

"I’ve been playing well for the last month, so I feel like my game is in
good shape," said Wilkinson, who now lives in Jacksonville Beach.

Continue reading at usopen.com.