News US

Storylines for ‘Golf’s Longest Day’

Emerald Valley Golf Club

Creswell, Ore.; 54 players for 2 spots

► Andrew Putnam, 37, of University Place, Wash., has competed in five U.S. Opens. His last U.S. Open appearance came in 2023, and his best showing came in 2022, when he tied for 31st at The Country Club, in Brookline, Mass. Putnam made his U.S. Open debut at Pebble Beach in 2010, competing as an amateur out of Pepperdine University. He owns one PGA Tour victory (the 2018 Barracuda Championship) and was a semifinalist in the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur.

► Michael Putnam, 42, of University Place, Wash., is the older brother of Andrew Putnam and has competed in six U.S. Opens. The elder Putnam made his U.S. Open debut in 2005 at Pinehurst. His best showing came in 2017, when he tied for 35th at Erin Hills Golf Course. Michael owns three Korn Ferry Tour victories, was a member of the victorious USA 2005 Walker Cup team, and played golf at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, Calif., like his younger brother. He also hit the opening tee shot of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, just down the road from where he grew up.

Woodmont Country Club (North Course)

Rockville, Md.; 77 players for 4 spots

► Blades Brown, 19, of Nashville, Tenn., was a member of the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team roster in 2024 and turned professional at age 17. Brown, who has starts on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour this season, earned Special Temporary Membership on the PGA Tour after finishing tied for 14th at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He has made six out of seven cuts on the Tour this season, including two top 10s at the Myrtle Beach Classic and Puerto Rico Open. Brown finished in the top 20 at the American Express Championship that included a first-round, 12-under-par 60, becoming the youngest player in PGA Tour history to record a round of 60 or better.

► Michael Thorbjornsen, 24, of Wellesley, Mass., has played in three U.S. Opens as an amateur. He made it through final qualifying twice in 2022 and 2023 and played in the 2019 U.S. Open on an exemption after winning the 2018 U.S. Junior Amateur at Baltusrol. He became the first reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion to make the cut, finishing 79th at Pebble Beach in 2019.

► Zach Bauchou, 30, of Forest, Va., survived Golf’s Longest Day a year ago when he earned medalist honors at the Durham, N.C., final site at Duke University Golf Club. Bauchou made his major championship debut at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. Bauchou made it to final qualifying in Columbus, Ohio in 2023 where his former Oklahoma State University teammate and 2018 U.S. Amateur champion Viktor Hovland caddied for him. Hovland won the Memorial Tournament the day before.

► Evan Beck, 35, of Virginia Beach, Va., earned a spot in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont after winning the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Kinloch Golf Club in Manakin-Sabot, Va. He also was the runner-up in the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2023 U.S. Mid-Amateur. He was the runner-up in the 2025 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with partner Dan Walters, who was his assistant coach when he played collegiately at Wake Forest.

BallenIsles Country Club (East Course)

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.;78 players for 4 spots

► Matt Kuchar, 47, of Jupiter, Fla., has nine career PGA Tour wins and has played in 22 U.S. Opens with 11 made cuts. Kuchar made his U.S. Open debut in 1998 at The Olympic Club, where he finished tied for 14th as the reigning U.S. Amateur champion to earn low-amateur honors. He was a member of the 1999 USA Walker Cup Team.► Luke Clanton, 22, of Hialeah, Fla., has played in one U.S. Open when he tied for 41st as an amateur at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Clanton made the semifinals of the U.S. Junior Amateur at The Country Club of North Carolina in 2021. He earned the 2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s leading male in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®, but forfeited his pre-earned exemption into the 2025 U.S. Open after turning professional before the RBC Canadian Open.

► Luis Gagne, 28, of Costa Rica shared low-amateur honors with Matt Parziale at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and has played in two U.S. Opens since (2019 and 2021). The Costa Rica native competes on the PGA Tour Americas and advanced from the Ormond Beach, Fla., qualifier at Plantation Bay Country Club on May 6. He played collegiately at Louisiana State University.

► Matthieu Pavon, 33, of France, has played in five U.S. Opens including a top-25 finish in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills. He finished fifth at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024, his best finish in a major.

► Nico Gordic-Ronderos, 14, of Bradenton, Fla., is the youngest competitor in final qualifying. He advanced from the Naples, Fla., local qualifier where he shot 3-under 68 to claim one of the five spots. As a freshman at Cardinal Mooney High School in the Sarasota/Bradenton area, he tied for second place individually at the 1A Region-3 tournament with a 71 that earned him a spot in the Florida 1A State Championship. There were more than 30 14-year-olds in local qualifying, and Gordic-Ronderos is the only one teeing it up on Golf’s Longest Day.

► Miles Russell, 17, of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., was a member of the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team in 2024 and is the highest-ranked junior in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®. One of the most decorated amateurs in recent history, Russell was named the 2023 American Junior Golf Association’s Rolex Boys Player of the Year, surpassing Tiger Woods as the youngest winner of the award. Russell, a lefty, was a quarterfinalist at the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and 2025 U.S. Amateur.

► Guiseppe Puebla, 17, of Royal Palm Beach, Fla., is a member of the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team. He finished runner-up in the 2025 Boy’s Junior PGA Championship and was a member of the victorious 2025 United States Junior Ryder Cup Team.

Century Country Club and Golf Club of Purchase

Purchase, N.Y.; 79 players for 4 spots

► Shane Bacon, 42, of Westport, Conn., posted a 2-under 70 in the local qualifier at Great River Golf Club, in Milford, Conn., on May 5. Bacon, who attended the University of Arizona, is a golf broadcaster for CBS and the Korn Ferry Tour. In July of 2023, at the age of 39, Bacon qualified for the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club.

► James Nicholas, 29, of Scarsdale, N.Y., qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club on Golf Longest Day. Nicholas, who owns one win on the Korn Ferry Tour, was one of two players (Philip Barbaree, Jr.) who made the cut at Oakmont that advanced from local and final qualifying in 2025.

► Michael McCoy, 63, of Des Moines, Iowa, is the oldest competitor in final qualifying. McCoy, who was captain of the victorious 2023 USA Walker Cup Team, won the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur at the Country Club of Birmingham and the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur at Oak Hills Country Club. He is the only player to have won both USGA titles. He also was a member of the 2015 USA Walker Cup Team.

► Clancy Waugh, 31, of Jupiter, Fla., is the son-in-law of USGA President Kevin Hammer and the son of former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. He is currently in the process of regaining his amateur status.

Gaston Country Club

Gastonia, N.C.;78 players for 5 spots

► Luke Gutschewski, 23, of Omaha, Neb., is a newly minted PGA Tour professional who is attempting to qualify for his first U.S. Open. Luke turned professional in 2025, following in the footsteps of his father, Scott Gutschewski, who continues to play on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour, where he’s won three times. Both Luke and Scott advanced through the Omaha, Neb., local qualifier, where Luke earned co-medalist honors. Luke’s younger brother, Trevor, missed the cut at the Dallas Athletic Club final qualifier after earning a local exemption by winning the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur.

► Bill Haas, 44, of Greenville, S.C., is a PGA Tour veteran who has played in 10 previous U.S. Opens. His best finish came in 2017, when he tied for fifth at Erin Hills. Haas is a six-time PGA Tour winner, highlighted by capturing the 2011 FedEx Cup. He was a member of the 2003 Walker Cup team and notably competed in the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club alongside his father, Jay Haas, another Walker Cup alum. The 2026 U.S. Open would mark Haas’s first appearance in the championship since 2018.

► Chesson Hadley, 38, of Raleigh, N.C., has competed in four U.S. Opens. His best finish came in 2019 when he tied for ninth at Pebble Beach. Hadley has one win on the PGA Tour, the 2014 Puerto Rico Open, and recently made his debut as an analyst on Golf Channel.

► Chez Reavie, 44, of Scottsdale, Ariz., has appeared in eight previous U.S. Opens with his best appearance coming in 2019 when he tied for third at Pebble Beach. Reavie made his U.S. Open debut in 2003 at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. He owns three PGA Tour victories with the last coming in the 2022 Barracuda Championship. Reavie notably dominated Golf’s Longest day in 2021, when he earned co-medalist honors and a U.S. Open berth at The Lakes and Brookside Golf & Country Club. Reavie won the 2001 U.S. Amateur Public Links.

► Doc Redman, 28, of Raleigh, N.C., is attempting to qualify for his first U.S. Open. Redman currently plays on the Korn Ferry Tour where he has had great success during the past two years, winning the Astara Chile Classic presented by Scotiabank and most recently, the Visit Knoxville Invitational in May. Redman was the 2017 U.S. Amateur champion at The Riviera Country Club, which earned him a spot on the victorious 2017 USA Walker Cup Team.

► Webb Simpson, 40, of Charlotte, N.C., won the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club in just his second start. The Wake Forest University alum has played in 12 U.S. Opens. Simpson’s 2012 U.S. Open victory is one of seven PGA Tour wins in his career, with his most recent coming at the 2020 RBC Heritage. He was also a member of the victorious 2007 USA Walker Cup Team and the 2006 USA World Amateur Team.

Lakes Golf & Country Club

Westerville, Ohio; 54 players for 4 spots

► Lucas Glover, 46, of Jupiter, Fla., won the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black as a qualifier, his lone major win. Glover is attempting to qualify for his 18th U.S. Open and first since 2025. Born in South Carolina, he owns six PGA Tour wins with the last coming in 2023 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship. Glover’s 2009 U.S. Open win at Bethpage Black was one for the history books, as he carded back-to-back birdies on the 70th and 71st holes to beat out Phil Mickleson, Ricky Barnes and David Duval.

► Brian Campbell, 33, of Irvine, Calif., is seeking to qualify for his third consecutive U.S. Open and fifth overall. Campell’s best finish in the championship came in 2015 when he tied for 27th at Chambers Bay. He is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour with both coming during the 2025 season (John Deere Classic and Mexico Open at VidantaWorld).

► Davis Thompson, 26, of St. Simons Island, Ga., is a former Georgia Bulldog who has played in four U.S. Opens. Thompson’s best finish in the championship came in 2024 when he tied for ninth at Pinehurst No. 2. As a member of the Georgia men’s golf team, Thompson spent multiple weeks as the No. 1 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®. In 2021, he was chosen as the SEC Player of the Year. He owns one PGA Tour win – the 2024 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

► Austin Eckroat, 27, of Edmond, Okla., has appeared in three previous U.S. Opens. His best finish came in 2023 when he tied for 10th.. Eckroat, a member of the 2018 NCAA champion Oklahoma State men’s golf team, is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour. He previously appeared in four U.S. Amateurs and helped the United States retain the Walker Cup in 2021, going 2-0 in singles matches at Seminole Golf Club.

► Tyler Watts, 18, of Huntsville, Ala., is a 2026 Tennessee signee who is seeking to qualify for his first U.S. Open. At just 15 years old, Watts became the youngest player ever to claim the Alabama State Amateur Championship title – and hasn’t slowed down since. The following year, Watts finished as the runner-up in the U.S. Junior Amateur and made his debut on the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team, which he has been a member of the last three years.

Hawks Ridge Golf Club

Ball Ground, Ga.; 78 players for 5 spots

► Stephan Jaeger, 36, of Germany, has competed in five previous U.S. Opens. His best finish came in 2024, when he tied for 21st at Pinehurst No. 2. Jaeger’s lone PGA Tour victory also came in 2024, when he won the Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course. He has recorded three top-10 finishes so far during the 2026 PGA Tour season but recently withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge due to a back injury.

► Chris Kirk, 41, of Atlanta, Ga., is a six-time PGA tour winner who has competed in eight previous U.S. Opens. Kirk’s best U.S. Open came at last year’s championship, where he tied for 12th at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club. Kirk, whose most recent PGA Tour victory was The Sentry (Hawaii) in 2024, is seeking to qualify for his four consecutive U.S. Open. He was also a member of the victorious 2007 USA Walker Cup team alongside fellow final qualifier competitor Webb Simpson.

► Keith Mitchell, 34, of Chattanooga, Tenn., is seeking to qualify for his third U.S. Open and first since 2023. Mitchell’s lone PGA Tour win came in the 2019 Honda Classic title (now the Cognizant Classic) at PGA National Resort. Mitchell will play his final qualifier in the same state where he attended college, having competed at the University of Georgia from 2010-14. Mitchell is a frequent partner of 2025 NFL MVP Josh Allen at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am.

► Tommy Morrison, 21, of Dallas, Texas, is a University of Texas senior attempting to qualify for his first U.S. Open. Standing 6 feet, 9 inches, Morrison is one of the tallest players in collegiate golf. He recently helped the Longhorns advance to match play in the NCAA Championships. He was a member of the victorious 2025 USA Walker Cup team, posting a 2-1 match-play record. Morrison also competed in the 2023 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball with ex-Cowboys quarterback/CBS lead analyst Tony Romo and advanced to match play at the 2025 U.S. Amateur. He is currently No. 18 in the latest World Amateur Golf Ranking®/WAGR®.

► Brendon Todd, 40, of Pittsburgh, Pa., is a three-time PGA Tour winner looking to qualify for his sixth U.S. Open. Todd last played in the championship in 2024, where he tied for 67th. His best U.S. Open finish came in his debut in 2014 (T-14). The Pennsylvania native’s most recent PGA Tour victory came in the 2019 Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico.

► Jason Dufner, 49, of Auburn, Ala., won the 2013 PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club and has played in 13 U.S. Opens, including a top 25 at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. Dufner has made the cut nine times and owns two top 5 finishes at U.S. Open. He was the runner-up to Trevor Immelman in the 1998 U.S. Amateur Public Links.

► Luke Colton, 18, of Frisco, Texas, is attempting to qualify for his first U.S. Open. Colton, who has signed to play at Vanderbilt University in the fall, is a member of the U.S. National Junior Team. He was a semifinalist at the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur and competed on the 2025 U.S. Junior Ryder Cup Team. Most recently, Colton advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball, where he and partner Tyler Mawhinney fell to the eventual champions, Lawrence Allan and Grady Brame Jr.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button