Nick Faldo has been given a special invitation to play in the US Open at Bethpage in two weeks' time.

Faldo narrowly failed to climb back into the world's top 50 after finishing fourth in the Volvo PGA championship on Sunday.

The decison means Faldo will extend his world record for the most consecutive number of Majors played to 60.

It began with his first victory in a major, the 1987 British Open at Muirfield where he made 18 pars in the final round.

He has not won a title since 1997 but has returned to form this season with six top 15 finishes.

Faldo said: "I am absolutely delighted and am very much looking forward to playing at Bethpage.

"Hopefully I will have a great week, repaying the USGA by putting their invite to good use.

"I've played in 59 major championships in a row and am delighted that the USGA have been kind enough to allow me the chance to keep this run going."

The executive committee of the United States Golf Association made its decision after carrying out a final review of the list of exempt players.

The only other player to receive a special invite is America's three-time US Open champion Hale Irwin.

That leaves England's Lee Westwood without a place in the tournament after falling out of the world's top 50.

Westwood has not entered the final qualifying event in Maryland.

The 2002 US Open begins in Farmingdale, New York, on 13 June.