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The Kiwi Battler

Post by: Reece Lightning

// June 9th, 2009 // News

15 bucks says you have never heard of Doug Batty…  Actually make that a round of beers, chased down with tequila, the taxi ride home stopping by a 24-hour kebab store… you in?Doug Batty is a 29 year old Kiwi golfer who has just booked a spot in next weeks US Open. With no playing rights on any major tour at present, the previously unknown golfer secured his position in the elite US Open field by winning a four way playoff tie in second place in a qualifying tourney. He apparently played the Canadian tour last year but his father Mike claims he missed out this time round by about 15 bucks on the money list.

Public expectation will be realistic for Batty but no longer will he be able to fly under the radar. The former Northlander is about to embark on a golfing experience like no other. Rubbing shoulders with the world’s best at New York’s Bethpage Black public course where Tiger Woods is the defending champion and also won the last time the US Open was staged there in 2002. This is surely the feel good golfing story of the year.

Unfortunately Danny Lee, Tim Wilkinson and Steve Alker all missed out at their qualifiers but Batty joins Cambo (who is still exempt through to 2010 after his glorious win at the event back in 2005) and Kiwi number one David Smail to fly the New Zealand flag at the second major of the year.