US Open: Shane Lowry leads the way at qualifying, but Padraig Harrington misses out

Shane Lowry: Finished out in front at the end of 36 holes on eight under par

Having finished one shot behind good friend Rory McIlroy at Wentworth on Sunday, Lowry failed to claim an automatic place in the field for the second major of the season.

However the Irishman made sure he would be travelling to Pinehurst next month by securing one of the 14 places up for grabs at Walton Heath.

He managed a 69 on the New Course before carding a 67 on the Old Course in the afternoon to end the 36-hole event on eight under par, the best score of the day in difficult conditions as the venue was beset by bad weather.

"I played okay and putted really, really well holing a lot of six to eight footers for par," the two-time winner on the European Tour said afterwards.

"But after finishing so close to victory yesterday I just carried a lot of momentum from Wentworth into today to get the job done.

"And while I was a little disappointed not to win the BMW PGA at least now I've done it the hard way so that I can join Rory at Pinehurst."

One clear

Lowry finished one clear of Englishman Simon Griffiths, Sweden's Niclas Fasth and Garth Mulroy of South Africa.

England's Graeme Storm, German duo Marcel Siem and Max Kieffer, Chris Doak of Scotland and American Brooks Koepka also secured themselves spots by ending up on a five-under total of 139.

A further six players were one shot further back but with only four more berths available, a play-off was required.

England's Oliver Fisher, Italian Andrea Pavan and Dane Lucas Bjerregaard all made birdie at the first extra hole, while Fisher's compatriot Tom Lewis joined the trio soon after courtesy of a stunning 30-foot putt.

Morten Madsen and Danny Willett were the unlucky duo to miss out, meaning they will be alternates.

Padraig Harrington will definitely not be playing at the US Open this year, having previously taken part in the event for the past 15 years in a row. Scores of 75 and 71 were not enough for the three-time major winner.

"The damage was done in the morning with that 75," he said. "I just made a few mistakes in not knowing the golf course and I was never comfortable with the pace of the greens, as there were a number of three-putts thrown in there."

Ryder Cup-winning captain Jose Maria Olazabal, himself a two-time major champion, also finished outside the top 14 after finishing level with Harrington on a two-over-par overall score.