May, Gealy and Saunders Qualify for US Open

June 6, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Former Clemson golfers David May, Sam Saunders and Elliot Gealy all qualified for the US Open on Monday, giving the Clemson program five former players in the 2011 event that will be held June 16-19 at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD.

This will be the most former Tigers to play in one US Open. The previous best was four former Tigers in the 2009 US Open, an event won by former Tigers Lucas Glover. It marks the fourth straight year Clemson has had at least three current or former players in the US Open.

May and Saunders were teammates at Clemson from 2006-09, while Gealy played at Clemson from 1996-99.

May and Gealy both qualified at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, MD. Gealy had rounds of 70-65 for a 135 total and finished in a tie for third. May had rounds of 68-68 for a 136 total to qualify.

Saunders qualified at the 36-hole event in Vero Beach, FL. He had a 141 total for the 36 holes, then advanced through a three players for two spots playoff.

May was a four-year starter for the Tigers and was the ACC Co-Champion at The Old North State Club in 2009. Saunders played three years for the Tigers and was a starter on Clemson’s 2008 team that finished fifth in the nation. Gealy played on four consecutive top 10 Clemson teams, including three with Lucas Glover.

Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, will make his first appearance in any major.

The three qualifiers on Monday will join Lucas Glover at the US Open. Byrd qualified earlier this year when he won his second PGA Tour event since the last US Open. He is now 39th in the World Golf Rankings. Glover qualified as the 2009 champion. Earlier this year he won the PGA Tour event at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, NC.