Jed Morgan's record-setting Australian PGA Championship victory has all but earned the 22-year-old a coveted place in the US Open field.
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The US Golf Association Association has opted to offer a tee spot to the winner of the 2021-22 Australasian Order of Merit, which Morgan has a stranglehold on courtesy of his 11-shot romp this month.
Even with six events remaining, Morgan, with earnings of $180,878.77, will be almost impossible to catch.
Andrew Dodt ($107,526.26) is his nearest pursuer but would likely need to win most events to reel Morgan in.
It's a mighty bonus for the youngster, who drew comparisons with Greg Norman after destroying the field at Royal Brisbane to win the PGA by a record margin and in just his fourth professional start - just like the Shark did in 1976.
The breakthrough was perfect timing too for Morgan.
For the second year in a row, the US Open's regular full qualifying series has been compromised due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 with travel restrictions making it difficult for internationally based players to compete.
As such, the USGA have made available a temporary exemption direct into the US Open for the highest finisher on the PGA Tour of Australasia's current Order of Merit not otherwise exempt.
Confirmation of the temporary exemption category was part of the USGA's release for the official opening date of entries on Wednesday and will provide an immediate opportunity in one of golf's showpiece events for the winner.
"The PGA of Australia and PGA Tour of Australasia are here to provide a pathway to the game's greatest events around the world and we are thrilled to see that our Order of Merit winner will now play in this year's US Open," said PGA of Australia boss Gavin Kirkman.
"The US Open is one of the most celebrated championships in all of golf and to have one of locally-based players taking part will create an even greater level of interest here in Australia this year.
"We are very proud of our past US Open champions in David Graham and Geoff Ogilvy and hopefully we will see another Australian lift the US Open trophy this year."
This year's US Open takes place at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts from June 16-19.
Australian Associated Press
