20 May 2024 , 23:00
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DP World Tour stalwart Robert Rock has booked himself a U.S. Open spot at Pinehurst No. 2 next month, despite having retired from professional golf two years ago.
Rock spent 19 years on the European circuit, winning twice, including the 2012 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship where he saw off Rory McIlroy by a single shot. Ten years after his victory in the Middle East, the Englishman opted to call time on his playing career and opted to concentrate on coaching instead.
On Monday, however, Rock decided to turn back to competition, entering U.S. Open qualifying at Walton Heath in Surrey. And remarkably the retired star was one of nine players who prevailed in the 36-hole qualifier, securing a spot in the third major championship of the year.
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In the aftermath it appeared no one was more shocked with the result than Rock. "I didn't have any thoughts of qualifying," he commented. "It was my last chance at playing this event and it was a good opportunity to see where my game was having been out of it for two years. It is a complete bonus."
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Rock carded nine-under-par across his two rounds, joined by fellow Englishman Sam Bairstow on the same score. The leading score came in a shot better off at 10-under, with top spot shared by Scot Grant Forrest and two other Englishmen in Richard Mansell and Brandon Robinson Thompson.
Four players also qualified at eight-under, including European Ryder Cup vice-captain Edoardo Molinari, who was also joined by fellow Italian Matteo Manassero. Northern Ireland's Tom McKibbin booked his first ever place at a major championship, with Australia 's Jason Scrivener also heading to Pinehurst.
Rock's qualifying story is no doubt the most remarkable, having turned to playing just recreationally with friends in recent years. The 47-year-old has played in the U.S. Open just twice during his career, with his last coming in 2012 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
His best finish at the event came one year earlier in 2011, where he finished the week at Congressional Country Club in a tie for 23rd. The veteran's last competitive outing came back in October 2022, after Rock failed to make the cut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Rock's time away from the golf course has unsurprisingly seen him drift in the Official World Golf Ranking, having previously been as high as 55th in the world list during his prime playing days. Now, one month out from return to major golf in North Carolina Rock currently finds himself ranked 2035th.