U.S. Open Final Qualifying: Scores, results, how it works

he U.S. Open Final Qualifying, also known as "Golf's Longest Day," is an intensive one-day, 36-hole stroke-play event held at multiple sites worldwide. This event determines the final spots for the U.S. Open, one of golf's major championships, ensuring that both seasoned professionals and emerging amateurs have a chance to compete based on merit. Here's an overview of how it works and some notable results from the recent qualifying rounds.

How It Works

• Eligibility: Any professional or amateur golfer with a handicap index of 0.4 or lower can enter.
• Structure: The qualifying process consists of two stages:
  1. Local Qualifying: 18-hole tournaments held at various sites (109 this year) from April to May.
  2. Final Qualifying: 36-hole tournaments held at 13 sites worldwide. This year, the first three final qualifiers were in Japan, England, and Dallas, Texas. The remaining 10 were held across the U.S. and Canada on June 3rd.

Key Results

Cherry Hill Club, Ridgeway, Ontario

• Qualifiers:
  • Mark Hubbard: 64-63
  • Adam Svensson: 65-65
  • Rico Hoey: 68-63
  • Davis Thompson: 63-69
  • Greyson Sigg: 64-69
  • Aaron Rai: 70-63
  • Ashton McCulloch (a): 65-69
• Alternates:
  • Matt Wallace: 71-64
  • Keith Mitchell: 68-67

The Bear’s Club, Jupiter, Florida

• Qualifiers:
  • Matt Kuchar: 70-67
  • Daniel Berger: 65-73
  • Dean Burmester: 68-70
  • Luke Clanton (a): 70-69
  • Willie Mack III: 71-70 (qualified in a 3-for-1 playoff)
• Alternates:
  • Brendan Valdes (a): 71-70
  • Thomas Ponder (a): 71-70

The Golf Club of Georgia, Alpharetta, Georgia

• Qualifiers:
  • Jackson Buchanan (a): 64-67
  • Chris Petefish: 65-66
  • Frederik Kjettrup (a): 66-66
• Alternates:
  • Connor Howe (a): 71-62
  • Carson Bacha (a): 68-66

Woodmont Country Club, Rockville, Maryland

• Qualifiers:
  • Tim Widing: 66-67
  • Isaiah Salinda: 66-67
  • Wells Williams (a): 67-67

Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, New Jersey

• Qualifiers:
  • Benjamin James (a): 67-64
  • Max Greyserman: 67-64
  • Andrew Svoboda: 68-65
  • Jim Herman: 68-67 (qualified in a 4-for-1 playoff)
• Alternates:
  • Michael Miller: 67-68
  • Raul Pereda: 67-68

Duke University Golf Club, Durham, North Carolina

• Qualifiers:
  • Frankie Capan III: 68-66
  • Brian Campbell: 64-71
  • Sam Bennett: 70-65
  • Chesson Hadley: 68-68
  • Webb Simpson: 67-69
  • Carter Jenkins: 71-66 (qualified in a 7-for-2 playoff)
  • Harry Higgs: 70-67 (qualified in a 7-for-2 playoff)
• Alternates:
  • Spencer Oxendine: 68-69
  • Matt McCarty: 68-69

Ohio State University Golf Club, Columbus, Ohio

• Qualifiers:
  • Justin Lower: 64-68
  • Seamus Power: 64-68
  • Brendon Todd: 68-65 (qualified in a 4-for-3 playoff)
  • Gunnar Broin (a): 65-68 (qualified in a 4-for-3 playoff)
  • Chris Naegel: 64-69 (qualified in a 4-for-3 playoff)
• Alternates:
  • Otto Black: 68-65
  • Joshua Lee: 69-65

Springfield Country Club, Springfield, Ohio

• Qualifiers:
  • Zac Blair: 66-65
  • Beau Hossler: 65-67
  • Carson Schaake: 65-67
  • Cameron Davis: 65-68 (qualified in a 2-for-1 playoff)
• Alternates:
  • Adam Scott: 64-69
  • Maxwell Moldovan: 68-66

Highlights and Stories

• Ashton McCulloch: A rising Michigan State senior who only took up golf seriously at age 14.
• Matt Kuchar: Veteran making a return to the U.S. Open after missing it last year.
• Justin Lower: Qualified for his first major championship in his home state.
• Harry Higgs: Qualified after back-to-back wins on the Korn Ferry Tour.
• Adam Scott: His streak of 91 consecutive major starts is in jeopardy after failing to qualify directly.

The U.S. Open Final Qualifying showcases a mix of experienced professionals and talented amateurs, all vying for a coveted spot at Pinehurst No. 2. This rigorous process highlights the meritocratic nature of the U.S. Open, making it one of the most inclusive and competitive tournaments in golf