Matt Wallace’s career has continued its impressive upward trajectory - but has now taken a major leap forward after he came through a seven-way play-off to qualify for the US Open.

The Moor Park Golf Club professional’s achievement in reaching his first major championship continues a rise that started last year with a historic six Alps Tour titles to secure a place on the Challenge Tour, before his elevation to the European Tour came earlier this month when he won the Open de Portugal title.

Wallace will now head across the Atlantic for the 117th edition of the US Open at Erin Hills, Wisconsin, from June 15 to 18 - and club-mate Callum Shinkwin was close to joining him in what would have been an incredible double for the Rickmansworth club. The Bushey-based golfer also made the play-off at Walton Heath, but was one of the three to miss out in the battle to decide who would fill the final four of the 15 places up for grabs.

Qualification was decided over 36 holes yesterday and Wallace made sure he was in contention after carding a five-under-par round of 67 on the New Course that featured seven birdies.

The 27-year-old was one shot better off after the first nine holes in his second round on the Old Course following three birdies and two bogeys. Although he moved to seven-under with a birdie on the par five 13th, the hole that ultimately got him into the play-off was the par five 16th where he made a superb eagle three.

The Pinner-based professional had been one of the earlier starters and was forced to wait as the remainder of the field, including club-mate Shinkwin, completed their second rounds.

The 24-year-old has struggled on the European Tour this year and, like Wallace, came into US Open qualifying having missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth where he was disqualified after Friday’s second round.

But Shinkwin was in superb form in his opening 18 holes on the New Course, carding a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to put himself firmly in the mix.

The former English Amateur champion moved to eight-under with a three on the par four third on the Old Course, but three bogeys – on the par fours at four and nine and the par three 11th – seemed to have ended his challenge.

However, Shinkwin responded in fine fashion on the remainder of the back nine, picking up a shot on the par 12th, making eagle on the par five 14th to enhance his qualification chances significantly, before another birdie at the par five 16th ensured he also made the play-off.

This proved to be one step too far though and Shinkwin ultimately had to settle for finishing as second alternate, as Ireland’s Paul Dunne, South African and Australian Wade Ormsby joined Wallace in earning the right to compete in Wisconsin.