Tag: U.S. Open qualifying

USGA accepts third-most entries ever for 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2

The youngest entrant this year is 12-year-old Beck Patrick, while the oldest is 74-year-old Keith Crimp.

For the third time in history, the United States Golf Association has accepted more than 10,000 entries for the U.S. Open.

Golf’s governing body in the States announced Thursday that 10,052 entries have been accepted for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, June 13-16. All 50 states, as well as Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., and 70 countries will be represented in qualifying for this year’s championship.

The record for entries was set last year when 10,187 were accepted for the championship at Los Angeles Country Club. The second-most entries were accepted in 2014 (10,127), the last time the U.S Open was held at Pinehurst No. 2.

“The U.S. Open’s two-stage qualifying process is unique among major championships in that it provides thousands of professional and amateur golfers worldwide an opportunity to earn a place in the 156-player field,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer. “The USGA is excited to once again showcase Pinehurst Resort and Country Club’s Course No. 2 while welcoming fans to what has become the home of American golf.”

Local qualifying will take place April 22-May 20 and feature 18 holes of play at 109 sites across 44 states and Canada. Players who advance will join a group of locally exempt players in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes at 10 U.S. and three international sites on May 20 and June 3 (location depending). Eligible players must have a Handicap Index not exceeding 0.4 or be a professional.

The youngest entrant this year is 12-year-old Beck Patrick from Houston. Keith Crimp, a 74-year-old amateur from Ellensburg, Washington, is the oldest entrant.

There are currently 52 golfers who are already fully exempt into the 2024 U.S. Open, including past champions Wyndham Clark (2023), Matt Fitzpatrick (2022), Jon Rahm (2021), Bryson DeChambeau (2020), Gary Woodland (2019), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Dustin Johnson (2016), Jordan Spieth (2015) Martin Kaymer (2014), Rory McIlroy (2011), and Lucas Glover (2009).

2023 U.S. Women’s Open: Here’s a dozen noteworthy qualifiers for historic Pebble Beach, including celebrated amateurs and a very pregnant pro

Pebble Beach will host its first U.S. Women’s Open and 14th USGA championship in July.

U.S. Women’s Open qualifying tournaments stretched across 23 sites for the historic championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Entries for this year’s event crossed the 2,000 mark for the first time as 2,107 players applied.

Pebble Beach will host its first U.S. Women’s Open and 14th USGA championship July 6-9. Thirty-six hole qualifiers for the championship were held May 9 through June 7.

A number of college and amateur stars advanced as well as one former U.S. Women’s Open contender, who will be seven months pregnant when the championship is contested.

Pebble Beach Golf Links has previously hosted six U.S. Opens (1972, 1982, 1992, 2000, 2010, 2019), five U.S. Amateurs (1929, 1947, 1961, 1999, 2018) and two U.S. Women’s Amateurs (1940, 1948).

Here are a dozen noteworthy amateurs and professionals who advanced through qualifying:

Matthew Wolff withdraws from U.S. Open final qualifying in Florida as LIV Golf rumors swirl

Last week, Wolff was removed from social media bios for Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC.

It’s been a rough go recently for Matthew Wolff.

The 24-year-old withdrew from U.S. Open final qualifying at Pine Tree Golf Club in Boynton Beach, Florida, on Monday as rumors continue to swirl about his current status on the Greg Norman-led and Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf League. At a U.S. Open qualifier last year, Wolff also left early after he walked off the course following a poor drive.

Last week No Laying Up was first to point out that mention of Wolff was removed from the social media accounts of Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC.

After a T-7, T-10, T-5 start to the season, Wolff has struggled for the last two months with finishes of T-44, T-41 and T-30 in the 48-player field events, and most-recently withdrew after two rounds of 73-78 at LIV Golf Washington D.C. In seven events he’s earned $2,821,667 so far this season.

LIV Golf declined to comment. The league returns to action later this month, June 30-July 2, at Valderrama in Spain.

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After a successful college career at Oklahoma State, Wolff turned pro after his sophomore year and won just weeks into his PGA Tour career at the 2019 3M Open. The next summer he showed flashes of brilliance with his unique swing thanks to finishes of T-4 at the PGA Championship and second at the U.S. Open before the pandemic and struggles of professional golf set in.

Wolff, who has been open about his mental health and struggles with life on the PGA Tour, joined LIV after its inaugural event in London last summer.

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Golf’s Longest Day: Notable names competing in U.S. Open final qualifying

A spot in the 156-man field at Los Angeles Country Club is the ultimate goal.

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Monday is “Golf’s Longest Day,” as hundreds of golfers are competing at 10 final qualifying stages hoping to punch their tickets to the 123rd U.S. Open.

Los Angeles Country Club is the landing spot for them all, including PGA Championship darling Michael Block and his 18-year-old son, Dylan.

There have already been three final qualifiers completed, with the LIV Golf League’s Sergio Garcia advancing from one in Dallas on May 22. Austin Eckroat, Roger Sloan and Hank Lebioda qualified in Dallas, as well.

Ryo Ishikawa was one of three players who made it through a U.S. Open qualifier in Japan on May 22.

Viktor Hovland, fresh off his win Sunday at the Memorial, is a caddie today in a qualifier for his good buddy and former Oklahoma State teammate Zach Bauchou.

Here are some other notable names to watch at the 10 sites on June 5:

MORE: Top storylines to watch at U.S. Open qualifying

Lambton Golf & Country Club, Toronto

Harry Hall, Ryan Gerard, Ryan Armour, Richy Werenski, Callum Tarren, Ludvig Aberg, Martin Trainer, Jimmy Walker, Michael Block, Harry Higgs.

Hillcrest Country Club, Los Angeles

Tommy Morrison, Dylan Block, Charley Hoffman, Matt Jones, Brendan Steele.

Pine Tree Golf Club, Boynton Beach, Florida

Wesley Bryan, Carlos Ortiz, Cameron Kuchar. Of note: Matthew Wolff withdrew from this qualifier.

Hawks Ridge Golf Club, Ball Ground, Georgia

Gordon Sargent, Andy Ogletree, Bill Haas. Patton Kizzire was a WD.

Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland

Marc Leishman.

Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, New Jersey

Michael Thorbjornsen, Cameron Tringale, Stewart Hagestad, Kelly Kraft, Jim Herman, Harrison Endycott. Caleb Surrat WD’d from this one.

Brookside Golf & Country Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club, Columbus, Ohio

Kevin Chappell, Patrick Rodgers, Lucas Glover, Nicolas Echavarria, Cameron Champ, Aaron Baddeley, Ben Taylor, Stewart Cink, Peter Uihlein, Erik van Rooyen, Cole Hammer, Luke List, Peter Malnati, Davis Thompson, Kyle Stanley, Matthew NeSmith, Chris Gotterup, David Lingmerth, Sam Ryder, Jason Kokrak, Kevin Streelman, Nick Watney, Geoff Ogilvy, Ben An.

Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio

Troy Merritt, Dylan Wu, Beau Hossler, Scott Piercy, Thomas Detry, Willie Mack III, Mark Hubbard, Taylor Pendrith, Robert Garrigus, JJ Spaun, Nick Hardy, Bo Hoag. Davis Love III WD’d from here.

Old Chatham Club, Durham, North Carolina

Doc Redman, Bo Van Pelt, Chesson Hadley.

Viktor Hovland caddies for former college teammate at U.S. Open Final Qualifying less than 15 hours after 2023 Memorial Tournament win

What would you do the day after your biggest win banked a $3.6 million payday?

What would you do the next day if you won the biggest tournament of your career and a whopping $3.6 million paycheck?

For Viktor Hovland, who won the PGA Tour’s 2023 Memorial Tournament in a playoff at Muirfield Village Golf Club on Sunday, it was rise and shine early and get to work. No, he didn’t go tee it up; rather he is caddying for former Oklahoma State University teammate and roommate Zach Bauchou of Forest, Virginia, at a U.S. Open Final Qualifier in Columbus, Ohio.

No rest for the weary or the wealthy. Hovland took care of the first requirement of any caddie – he showed up – and was on the bag bright and early dressed in shorts and wearing his Ping cap.

Hovland, of course, is fully exempt from qualifying and already in the U.S. Open field at Los Angeles Country Club (June 15-18). Bauchou, a second-team All-American at Oklahoma State, played in the Mexico Open in April and missed the cut. He’s got the No. 5 golfer in the world by his side on Monday for 36 holes at The Lakes Golf & Country Club in the morning and Brookside Golf Club (2 p.m., 10th tee). As Dionne Warwick used to sing, that’s what friends are for.

After banking $3.6 million on Sunday, Hovland will be put to work. How about a little something for the effort?

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Sergio Garcia among eight who qualified for 2023 U.S. Open via final qualifying in Dallas

Garcia will play in the next major on the 2023 calendar.

Sergio Garcia, who didn’t qualify for last week’s PGA Championship, assured himself of a spot in the next major on the 2023 calendar after advancing through a final qualifying stage Monday in Dallas.

There were 120 golfers vying for eight spots at Northwood Club and Bent Tree Country Club. Garcia finished the 36-hole qualifier at 9 under, tie for fourth, capping his day with a birdie on his final hole.

Garcia was among close to 20 LIV golfers entered in qualifiers aiming to make the 156-man field at Los Angeles Country Club.

Carson Young won the Dallas qualifier at 16 under after shooting scores of 63 and 62.

Austin Eckroat was second at 11 under. The 2010 U.S. Open champ, Graeme McDowell and also a LIV golfer, fell short by a shot at 7 under.

The 2023 U.S. Open is June 15-18.

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Bomber Molly Smith, 18, shot 70 against the men at a U.S. Open local qualifier, nearly advanced

The high school senior shot 2-under 70 to miss the cut by a shot.

Molly Smith birdied two of her first three holes Wednesday at U.S. Open local qualifying. The 18-year-old University of Central Florida commit drove her brown minivan, fondly known as “The Potato,” to LeBaron Hills Country Club in Lakeville, Massachusetts, and took on the men in an 18-hole qualifier.

“It’s been raining a lot here and the course was soft,” said Molly, “a day you could go pin-seeking.”

The high school senior would go on to shoot a 2-under 70 to miss the cut by a shot. Five players in the field at LeBaron advanced to U.S. Open final qualifying, with two players topping the board at 67. Smith lost out on securing one of two alternate positions in a playoff. On June 7, she’ll give U.S. Women’s Open qualifying a try.

Local qualifying is being conducted at 109 sites across the U.S. and Canada. The 123rd U.S. Open will be contested at The Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course, June 15-18.

Smith has competed against men in club championships and Massachusetts qualifiers for the state Amateur and Open. She doesn’t spend much time concerning herself with what others might think about a woman teeing it up in men’s events.

“There’s pretty clear criteria on what a golfer needs to do to play in the tournament,” she said of men’s U.S. Open qualifying.

Molly, a former Massachusetts Junior Player of the Year, averages 275 yards off the tee with 107 mph swing speed.

“She just oozes confidence,” said UCF coach Emily Marron, “and I think that comes from growing up playing with the boys. She had to be confident.”

Later this month, Smith and her older sister Morgan, 19, who heads to Georgetown this fall, will team up at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball at The Home Course in DuPont, Washington. Maddie, 15, is the youngest Smith sister, and she plays too. Just last week Morgan and Molly became the first sister duo to compete in the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship, taking a share of 68th out of 192 teams.

Molly Smith (right) with sisters Morgan and Maddie (courtesy photo)

On Monday, she’ll try to qualify to compete against the men at the Massachusetts Open.

“If you spend three minutes with her,” said Marron of Smith’s infectious personality, “you’ll love her,”

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Final qualifying: Check out who played their way into the 2022 U.S. Open field

Check out who played their way into the U.S. Open.

With the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, just one week away, 871 players are competing for 65 spots and a chance at history.

Monday marks the final round of qualifying for the U.S. Open, and with play at Caledonian Golf Club in Japan (three spots) and Lakewood Country Club and Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas (13 spots) already finished on May 23, just 49 spots in the third men’s major of 2022 remain. Nine qualifying sites across the country played host Monday, with a handful of professional and amateur players grinding their way into the final field of 156 bound for Brookline.

Check out who advanced out of qualifying and the notable names to fall short at each site across the country.

Former NFL star Danny Woodhead advances at U.S. Open qualifier

He scored a touchdown in Super Bowl 46, now he’s one step closer to earning a spot on golf’s biggest stage.

Danny Woodhead caught passes from Tom Brady. He even played, and scored a touchdown, in Super Bowl 46. Now? Well, he’s trying his hand at a different sport.

The former New England Patriot played in a local U.S. Open qualifier at Omaha Country Club on Wednesday and posted an even-par 71, good enough for a third-place tie and a spot in final qualifying.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Woodhead tee it up in a USGA championship. He qualified and played in the 2021 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship at Chambers Bay.

“The Super Bowl was awesome to play in, whatever, but this is out of my comfort zone,” he said after qualifying alongside partner Michael Wilheim in 2020.

Although it’s no longer for touchdowns, his celebration game is still strong.

If you want a closer look at Woodhead’s game, he played a few rounds with the No Laying Up boys at Sweetens Cove.

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Rickie Fowler files entry for U.S. Open Monday qualifier scheduled for June 6

Rickie Fowler failed to Monday qualify last season.

It’s no secret the last few years have been a struggle for Rickie Fowler, one of the most popular players in the world. His last win came at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open and he’s missed five cuts in 11 starts so far this season.

Despite the rough patch, he continues to be confident in the changes he’s been making to his game. We saw a flash of what Fowler can do at October’s CJ Cup where he finished tied for third behind Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa.

After missing the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines last season, and failing to Monday qualify, Fowler has filed an entry into this year’s Monday qualifier being played June 6. The 36-hole event will be held at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club & Wedgewood Golf and Country Club in Powell, Ohio.

Although he didn’t play in the U.S. Open last season, he did play in four majors: 2020 U.S. Open (T-49), 2020 Masters (T-29), 2021 PGA Championship (T-8), and 2021 Open Championship (T-53).

Fowler teed it up this week at the RBC Heritage, but after rounds of 76-74, he missed the weekend.

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