Camiko Smith remains upbeat despite missing out on advancing to the next round of qualifying for the US Open by two strokes at the Pawtucket Country Club in Rhode Island yesterday.

Smith carded a two-over par 71, including bogeys on the par-four sixth, 12th and 16th holes before finishing the lone qualifying round with his only birdie on the 18th.

“I don’t feel bad at all, this was my first tournament since the Grey Goose Tournament back in March, so I feel pretty good going into the rest of the summer,” Smith said.

“I hit the ball well but had two bad holes, which messed me up. I have zero shame in it. It’s all a process I’m going through for the rest of the summer. I don’t feel bad about it at all. I had to see where my game is at.

“It’s just a tournament and even Tiger [Woods] doesn’t win them all. You tee it up, do your best, win some and lose some. It’s a game of numbers; that’s how golf works, you’ve just got to keep your game consistent.”

Smith, who is based in Orlando, is looking forward to playing in more tournaments this summer.

“I’m looking forward to doing a bit more work on my game, nothing in particular, just sharpening up a few things and getting more competition under my belt. Hopefully I can get something going for the rest of the summer.”

“I just want to develop my game, first and foremost, and to find some tournaments to help with that process.”

Billy Walthouse, of Longmeadow, Massachusetts, produced the best round, shooting a one-under par 68 to head the qualifying group, with the top four players advancing to the sectional qualifiers which will take place at 11 different sites on June 4. There will also be an additional qualifier in Japan next Monday.

In total there are 112 courses hosting 18-hole local qualifiers in 45 US states and Canada.

The US Open will be played from June 14 to 17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, in Southampton, New York.