• US Open Qualifying, Walton Heath

Khan misses out in six-man play-off

Simon Khan narrowly failed to qualify for his second consecutive US Open © Getty Images

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PGA Championship winner Simon Khan narrowly missed out on a place at next month's US Open as he lost out in a six-man play-off.

The 37-year-old became the first invited player to win the European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth on Sunday and despite getting "hardly any sleep" continued his momentum to shoot 67 and sit two shots off the first-round lead set by Niclas Fasth at seven-under.

Khan added a second-round 70 to that and looked set for a second consecutive appearance at the US Open but a birdie by Rikard Karlberg, playing in the final group, at his last-but-one hole forced a play-off meaning more hard work for the clearly exhausted Essex man. And that tiredness eventually told as Khan dropped out as the only member of the sextet of hopefuls not to birdie the first hole of the sudden-death shootout, with Karlberg, Gregory Havret, Jean-Francois Lucquin, Pablo Martin and Finland's Mikko Ilonen all holing out to book their places at Pebble Beach.

"I had a few legless shots this afternoon," Khan said. "Swing-wise I'm delighted with how I played, but I couldn't focus on the greens.

"I decided after a couple of glasses of champagne that it seemed like a good idea to play today. I always think you should have a go at this.

"It was all a bit of a blur on the range and I must have thought about Wentworth every hole out there. I hit a couple of tired shots, but overall played pretty well."

An eagle three at the 506-yard 13th during his first round was the highlight of the world No. 106's day as he started his bid for one of 11 spots on offer to the 78-strong field and he could still earn a place in the second major of the year as the first reserve from Walton Heath. Khan spoke of "being on a journey" after picking up his second career title and the Englishman was in similarly philosophical mood as he explained his reasons for getting up at 6am to fight for a place at Pebble Beach.

"If you stop dreaming, then you might as well stop playing."

England's James Morrison had earlier won the event by two strokes from Argentina's Rafa Echenique and by three from Welshman Rhys Davies and Ireland's Gareth Maybin. England's Gary Boyd and Spain's Rafael Cabrera-Bello also made it through inside the 36 holes.

European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who finished third on his US Open debut at Pebble Beach in 1992, carded a pair of two-under par 70s to miss out on a return to the California course.

"It's very disappointing," Montgomerie said. "I had an opportunity to get to eight under easy, but missed too many putts as usual."

While Khan enjoyed a memorable Sunday in the Surrey countryside, compatriot Chris Wood saw his hopes of a first professional title fade away as he shot a six-over-par 77 after holding the 54-hole lead. Exhausted by his efforts, the 22-year-old Bristolian decided to withdraw but was officially disqualified from the qualifying event when word of his intentions did not reach officials until he had missed his tee-off time.

Woods' withdrawal handed 17-year-old Matteo Manassero the chance of qualifying and he did his hopes no harm with a first-round 70 to sit five shots back of the lead. A second-round 69 moved the Italian to five-under but he will have to wait for his first major championship as a professional as he missed out on a place in the play-off by two strokes.

Meanwhile, 2008 Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell will be present at Pebble Beach. The 31-year-old Ulsterman had to wait some eight hours after finishing his final round at Wentworth until the Byron Nelson Championship had ended in Texas to make sure he had stayed amongst the world's top 50 ranked players.

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