Phelan a winner as Devlin and Rafferty join US Open race

Chris Devlin is one step away from his second US Open appearance. The Ballymena man qualified for Torrey Pines in 2008.Waterford Castle’s Kevin Phelan has been declared the winner of Monday’s US Open Local Qualifier in Jacksonville after an illegal equipment investigation by the USGA.

The Florida based amateur finished second to college team mate Sean Dale at Sawgrass Country Club but was promoted to first yesterday when Dale was disqualified 48 hours after the event for using a non-conforming wedge.

Walker Cup hopeful Phelan, who qualified for last year’s US Open at Pebble Beach, must now finish in the top-four in a 36-hole Sectional Qualifying event on June 6 if he is to qualify for the US Open at Congressional from June 16-19.

He will be joined in one of 11 Sectional Qualifiers by Ballymena’s Chris Devlin and Dungannon’s Fergal Rafferty, who came through local qualifying events on Tuesday.