By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Bae Sang-moon has punched his ticket to the U.S. Open in an Asian qualifier.
The 23-year-old, who won his third Asian Tour title at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open earlier this month, shot a 5-under 139 to finish in a tie for third in the 36-hole qualifier in Japan.
Bae, who fired a 4-under in the first round, lowered his score by just one in the second round, but it was enough to ensure a top-five finish and a slot in the major tournament.
David Smail of New Zealand led the pack with an 11-under 133, followed by Angelo Que of the Philippines, who had rounds of 70 and 68. Japanese golfers Kaname Yokoo and Shintaro Kai rounded out the top-five.
The U.S Open, one of the PGA's four major championships, is scheduled for June 18 to 21 in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Bae will play in his first major after earning the coveted spot, joining compatriot Choi Kyoung-ju, who already had an exemption.
``I arrived in Japan on Sunday after winning on the Asian Tour two weeks ago and I also finished third in a local event last week. After these big tournaments, my condition wasn't good but I'm really happy now,'' said Bae, who is the current KPGA money leader with 171.45 million won ($135,000).
``I am really pleased to come through the qualifying and I will try my best in the U.S. Open.''
Teenage golfer Noh Seung-yul, the Asian Tour's rookie of the year in 2008, failed in his quest for a U.S. Open berth after rounds of 73 and 70 to finish tied for 16th.
Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa Ryo Ishikawa also failed to qualify after ending with an even-par 144.