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ISSUE #16

Mel Sole has 30 years experience teaching golf and is co-founder of Ritson-Sole Golf Schools, USA
www.ritson-sole.com

We have reached the deadline (end of May) for players, not otherwise exempt, to receive exemption from qualifying for this year's U.S. Open by virtue of their position in the Official World Golf Rankings (top fifty) or Money Lists (top ten PGA + top two Europe). Stewart Cink qualified on both counts (23rd in World and 10th on 2004 PGA Money List) and eleven others received exemptions based on their world ranking. Last minute exemptions this year were Angel Cabrera of Argentinia and Joakim Haeggman of Sweden, who moved up into the top 50 as a result of coming 2nd and 3rd respectively in the Volvo PGA Championship at Wentworth last week.

The 12 players granted exemption are listed below with their world ranking after their name.

Sergio Garcia (17)
Stewart Cink (23)
Shigeki Maruyama (26)
Miguel Angel Jiménez (32)
Fred Couples (37)
Stephen Ames (40)
Craig Parry (42)
Angel Cabrera (43)
Scott Hoch (44)
Todd Hamilton (45)
Zach Johnson (46)
Joakim Haeggman (50)

Just one player was nudged out of a "top-50" exemption at the last minute, John Huston, who dropped to #51.

There is one possible exemption remaining to be claimed. If the winner of this week's Memorial Tournament has already won one PGA co–sponsored event since April 23, 2003 that would make them a multiple winner during the qualifying period which ends on June 6. There are just five entries for the Memorial who could win this exemption; Tommy Armour III, Rory Sabbatini, John Daly, Heath Slocum and Joey Sindelar.

For a full list of exempt players and their exemption categories you can visit: www.usopen.com/press/exempt-players.html

LPGA News

While the leading par were engaged in a head-to-head battle, a bogey-free five under par round of 67 by Vicki Goetze-Ackerman was enough to come from behind and take share of second place with Estill.

Annika Sorenstam (library photo)
(Getty Images)

Final Scores - Corning Classic - Par 72 - 6,062 yards (5,543 metres)

ADT Money List - May 31, 2004 - after Corning Classic

Full Scoreboard and Money List can be found at
www.lpga.com

Champions Tour News

(Getty Images)

Final Scores - Senior PGA Championship - Par 71 - 6,990 yards (6,392 metres)

Champions Tour Money List - May 31, 2004 - after Senior PGA Championship

Full Scoreboard & Money List can be found at
www.pgatour.com

Ryder Cup Qualifying Standings

Based on the most up-to-date information available as at  May 31, 2004, the qualifying players for the Ryder Cup Matches to be played in September are shown in the table below. For more information about Ryder Cup qualification visit these links:

European Team Qualification          USA Team Qualification

Raphaël Jacquelin of France has dropped out of the current list of automatic selections for the European Team as a result of Joakim Haeggman coming into the list and Paul Casey overtaking him on points.

The teams will be finalized in August and the 35th Ryder Cup Matches will be held 17-19 September 2004, at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

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