Frankie Miñoza nails spot in US Senior Open

Veteran campaigner Frankie Miñoza is set to challenge Bernhard Langer, Fred Couples, Kenny Perry and the other stars of the world senior tour after he qualified for the 35th US Senior Open Championship.

Miñoza birdied the third extra hole of a sudden-death playoff for the second spot disputed by 120 players at Vista Valley Country Club in Vista, California, on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

The 35th US Senior Open will be held from July 10 to 13 at Oak Tree National Golf Club in Edmonton, Oklahoma.

Miñoza and American E. Hanover ended up tied for the second spot after similar rounds of one-over-par 72, necessitating the playoff.

Only two US Open spots were disputed in the tournament. The first slot was taken by another American, F. Norby, who shot a 69.

Gerry Goking, a close associate of Miñoza, told the Inquirer that Frankie’s winning shots came on their third trip for the day to the par-5 18th hole.

The Filipino star, who owns three Japan Senior Tour titles, went for the green from 260 yards with his second shot and landed left of the green.

He chipped to within five feet and then holed the putt for birdie. Hanover had to lay up and missed a 40-foot birdie attempt.

Both parred the first extra hole before Miñoza got a lucky break on the second hole where he holed a par-saving putt from four feet. Hanover missed a five-footer for birdie.

It will be Miñoza’s first stint in the US Open, won last year by Perry. He had twice played in the British Seniors Open.