COLUMBUS, Ohio — It was a day filled with ups and downs for Cameron Young, but he saved his best for last. With a dramatic finish that featured birdies on three of his last four holes, Young secured his spot in a 5-for-1 playoff. His clutch 12-foot birdie on the final hole not only added to the excitement but also sent him packing for the U.S. Open at Oakmont in just two weeks.
The stakes were high as golf enthusiasts across North America tuned in to watch the qualifying drama unfold. A total of 47 spots were available at 10 different sites, and the competition was fierce. This wasn’t just any tournament; it was the U.S. Open—arguably the toughest challenge in all of golf.
Max Homa’s day, however, was a different story. Coming off a grueling week at the Memorial and lugging his own bag for 36 holes after parting ways with his caddie, Homa faced an uphill battle. He had a shot at one of the six coveted spots from the Ohio qualifier at Kinsale but stumbled on his final hole, three-putting for par and ultimately finding himself in the playoff mix instead of a sure qualification.
The playoff was a nervous affair, particularly for Young, who had already faced significant challenges earlier in the year. He stepped to the 15th hole and delivered—a solid 9-iron to within 8 feet for birdie, followed by another on the par-5 16th, before hitting a beautiful wedge to just 18 inches on the last hole to earn his playoff spot.
“I feel like I showed myself something today,” Young reflected. “For so long today, I saw nothing go in.” That resilience turned out to be the key on a day that tested the mettle of all participants in the qualifiers.
Once the playoff commenced on the 10th hole, Young’s experience would come into play. With a driver off the tee that found the left rough, he executed a perfectly calibrated wedge shot to set up a critical birdie opportunity. “I started my day here 12 hours ago and made a 3, so I tried to do it again,” he noted, reflecting his determination.
Meanwhile, Erik van Rooyen fired a stellar opening round of 64 at Kinsale, making his qualification for Oakmont look easy as he ended six shots clear of the field. Joining him in the celebration were Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, and Harrison Ott. Cauley, currently ranked No. 56 in the world, is expected to stay within the top 60, which could provide him access through other qualifications—leading to the possibility of Chase Johnson earning his first-ever U.S. Open spot after winning the playoff for the two alternate positions.
In Springfield, the other Ohio qualifier saw Zac Blair emerge victorious in a heated 4-for-1 playoff, edging out former PGA Tour player John Peterson—who had recently made the switch back to amateur status after a brief retirement.
It was a mixed bag in Florida, where rain caused delays and kept some of the qualifiers from completing their rounds. Out in California, Preston Summerhays, representing Arizona State, was leading the charge among the qualifiers, with a playoff for the final spot set to continue the next day.
The Atlanta qualifier saw onlookers witness three amateurs secure spots, with 17-year-old Mason Howell stealing the spotlight by going bogey-free for an impressive 18-under 126. Jackson Koivun, already boasting a PGA Tour card, and Florida State sophomore Tyler Weaver also qualified, showcasing the next wave of talent.
Across the border in Toronto and further south in North Carolina, the qualifiers each featured seven spots available. Kevin Velo led the Canadian qualifier, while Zach Bauchou took the honors in North Carolina. Interestingly, Bauchou had some heartfelt memories in Ohio two years ago, backed by his college roommate Viktor Hovland as his caddie right after Hovland’s Memorial triumph.
Also of note were the LIV Golf players looking to secure their U.S. Open spots. Marc Leishman triumphed over compatriot Sebastian Munoz to grab one of the four spots in Maryland. Originally, 15 players from LIV had signed up, but as the qualifiers progressed, five decided against submitting their scores amid a poor showing, while another five withdrew, including notable names like Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood.
In Walla Walla, Washington, Matt Vogt stood out as he led his qualifier. A former caddie at Oakmont, he now splits time as a dentist in Indiana, showcasing that golf isn’t just about the play on the course; it weaves into the fabric of life in unexpected ways.
As the U.S. Open approaches, the excitement is palpable, with a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent ready to tackle the demanding courses ahead. The drama of qualification only sets the stage for what promises to be a riveting tournament.
