Price attacks 'silly' US Open

Phillip Price has called for the officials who set up Shinnecock Hills for the US Open final round 10 days ago to be replaced. The par-70 layout at Southampton, New York, proved to be a lottery for the 66-strong field on the last day, with the firm course drying out even more under a baking sun.

Phillip Price has called for the officials who set up Shinnecock Hills for the US Open final round 10 days ago to be replaced. The par-70 layout at Southampton, New York, proved to be a lottery for the 66-strong field on the last day, with the firm course drying out even more under a baking sun.

"It was too severe, it was awful," the Welshman, who tied for 57th at the US Upen, said yesterday at The K Club, Straffan, Co Kildare, where he will defend his European Open title. He added: "I think they've [US Open officials] got close to the limit before, but this time they went so far over the limit that the powers that be should be changed. You're unlikely to find a course where level-par's going to win, without making it silly."

With the worry of qualifying for the Open Championship off his shoulders, Colin Montgomerie will focus on boosting his Ryder Cup points total. Players like Jose Maria Olazabal, Jesper Parnevik and Justin Rose, who failed to qualify at Sunningdale on Monday, need a good result this week or next to seal their Open starts and avoid final qualifying.

The highest-placed finisher at the K Club or in next week's Scottish Open not already exempt for the British Open will earn a spot for Royal Troon.