Rock not so solid for U.S. Open due to visa problems

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

BETHESDA, Maryland | Tue Jun 14, 2011 4:35pm EDT

BETHESDA, Maryland (Reuters) - Robert Rock's preparations for this week's U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club have been hampered because of visa problems, causing him to miss Tuesday's deadline for registration.

Rock won his maiden European Tour title at the Italian Open in Turin on Sunday but was unable to travel directly from there to the United States for the year's second major.

Instead, the 34-year-old Englishman flew from Italy to London where he was trying to obtain a U.S. visa at short notice, a European Tour official told Reuters at Congressional on Tuesday.

Rock had booked his place in this week's U.S. Open via an international qualifying event at Walton Heath, England last month.

Should he not make it to Congressional in time for Thursday's opening round, his spot would be offered to first alternate and fellow Briton Richie Ramsay, organizers said.

Rock, who ended a nine-year wait for his first European Tour title with a one-shot victory in Turin, was one of just four players in the 156-strong field yet to register for this week's U.S. Open.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

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