Arjun Atwal played a superb round of five-under 67 in the qualifiers in Ohio, but still failed to make it to the US Open golf tournament by just two strokes.

The qualifier was played at the par-72 Brookside Golf and Country Club and the The Lakes Golf and Country Club where Atwal, who is having a great season on the US Tour, despite playing on limited exemption, had a first round of par 72 which made things difficult.

The last qualifier from Ohio, which had 144 players for 20 spots, was at seven-under 137, just two shots clear of Atwal.

Daniel Chopra, also playing in the same qualifier, withdrew after his first round of three-over 75.

Atwal and Chopra chose to play at Ohio, after the Memorial competition, where Atwal finished tied 45th.

Making it to the US Open through various qualifiers was Ted Purdy, a former Hero Honda Masters winner in 1997, and who had a breakthrough victory at the EDS Byron Nelson Championships.

Purdy, a former Asian Tour player, had rounds of 69 and 67 to finish at eight-under at Brookside, where the top finisher was Australian Geoff Ogilvy with rounds of 67 and 64.

Another former Asian Tour graduate qualifying was Simon Dyson, who finished third at the qualifiers in Tadworth, England [Images], where 53 players fought for nine spots.

A total of 13 US Open sectional qualifiers were held this week, including the first ever held in England.