How to Qualify for the US Open Golf

The U.S. Open Golf Championship is one of the most prestigious and challenging golf tournaments in the world. It is open to professional and amateur golfers who meet certain qualifying criteria. Here are the ways to qualify for the U.S. Open Golf:

1. Exemption Categories: The United States Golf Association (USGA) offers 18 exemption categories that allow players to automatically qualify for the U.S. Open Golf. Some of these categories include former U.S. Open winners, top 60 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, and top 10 players from the previous year’s U.S. Open.
2. Local Qualifying: The USGA conducts local qualifying tournaments across the United States. These events are open to both professional and amateur golfers with a USGA Handicap Index not exceeding 1.4. Golfers who advance from local qualifying move on to sectional qualifying.
3. Sectional Qualifying: Sectional qualifying tournaments are held at various sites in the United States and internationally. Golfers who successfully navigate local qualifying compete against each other in sectional qualifying for a chance to earn a spot in the U.S. Open Golf.
4. International Qualifying: The USGA also offers international qualifying tournaments in Europe and Asia. Golfers who advance from international qualifying move on to sectional qualifying.
5. Special Invitations: The USGA also has the authority to offer special invitations to select players who have not otherwise qualified for the U.S. Open Golf. These invitations are typically offered to players who have a significant professional or amateur golf resume.

Additional Details:

Here are a few more details on the qualifying process for the U.S. Open Golf:

• Local qualifying typically takes place in late April or early May, with over 100 events held across the United States. The number of players who advance from each local qualifying event is determined by the number of entries and available spots in sectional qualifying.
• Sectional qualifying is a one-day, 36-hole event held at various sites in the United States and internationally. The top players from each sectional event earn a spot in the U.S. Open Golf.
• International qualifying events are typically held in Japan and England in late May, with the top players from each event advancing to sectional qualifying.
• The USGA also reserves a small number of spots in the U.S. Open Golf for players who do not meet any of the qualifying criteria. These spots are typically offered to players who have a strong record in other major championships or who are ranked highly in the world golf rankings.
• The U.S. Open Golf is typically held in mid-June at various courses throughout the United States. The tournament is open to both professional and amateur golfers, although the vast majority of participants are professionals.
• The winner of the U.S. Open Golf receives a substantial prize purse, as well as a number of exemptions into other major championships and PGA Tour events. Winning the U.S. Open is considered one of the most prestigious achievements in golf.
• The U.S. Open Golf is one of four major championships in professional golf, along with The Masters, The Open Championship (British Open), and the PGA Championship.
• The U.S. Open is known for its challenging courses and difficult playing conditions. Courses are typically set up to be long and narrow, with thick rough and fast greens.
• The tournament is played over four days, with 18 holes of golf played each day. After the first two days, the field is cut to the top 60 players (plus ties) who then compete over the final two days.
• In addition to the exemptions and qualifying methods mentioned earlier, the USGA also allows a limited number of players to enter the tournament through a special application process. These applications are typically accepted from golfers who do not have access to local qualifying events, such as those who live overseas.
• The U.S. Open Golf is steeped in tradition and history. The first tournament was held in 1895, and the list of past champions includes some of the greatest golfers of all time, such as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Ben Hogan.
• Qualifying for the U.S. Open Golf is a grueling process that requires skill, perseverance, and often a bit of luck. Many golfers spend years trying to qualify for the tournament, and the competition at the local and sectional qualifying events can be intense.
• Despite the difficulty of the qualifying process, many golfers consider playing in the U.S. Open Golf to be a lifelong dream. The tournament represents the pinnacle of achievement in the sport of golf, and winning the U.S. Open is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in all of sports.

US Open Golf Qualifying Criteria

Qualifying Criteria	Description	Required for
Professional Golfers	Players who are members of a recognized professional golf association	All players
Amateurs	Players who have a USGA handicap index of 1.4 or lower	All players
Local Qualifying	18-hole stroke play, with top finishers advancing to sectional qualifying	All players
Sectional Qualifying	36-hole stroke play, with top finishers advancing to the US Open	All players
Special Exemptions	Players who do not meet any other qualifying criteria but are given an exemption by the USGA	Some players

US Open Golf Exemption Categories

Exemption Category	Description	Players Eligible
Winners of the US Open	Players who have won the US Open in the past 10 years	Up to 10 players
Winners of other major championships	Players who have won the Masters, PGA Championship, or Open Championship in the past 5 years	Up to 5 players
Top 60 in Official World Golf Ranking	Players ranked in the top 60 of the OWGR at the end of the week before the US Open	Up to 60 players
Top 10 from the previous year’s US Open	Players who finished in the top 10 at the previous year’s US Open	Up to 10 players
PGA Tour event winners	Players who win a PGA Tour event from the previous US Open to the week before the current US Open	Varies

Local Qualifying Sites

Site	City, State	Number of Qualifying Spots
The Country Club at DC Ranch	Scottsdale, AZ	4
Classic Club	Palm Desert, CA	6
Timuquana Country Club	Jacksonville, FL	3
The Club at Admirals Cove	Jupiter, FL	5
Illini Country Club	Springfield, IL	3
The Club at Porto Cima	Sunrise Beach, MO	3
Century Country Club	Purchase, NY	2
The Ridge at Back Brook	Ringoes, NJ	3
Spring Mill Country Club	Ivyland, PA	3
Germantown Country Club	Memphis, TN	4

Sectional Qualifying Sites

Site	City, State	Number of Qualifying Spots
Bear Creek Golf Club	Dallas, TX	14
The Club at Ruby Hill	Pleasanton, CA	5
Hawks Ridge Golf Club	Ball Ground, GA	5
Woodmont Country Club	Rockville, MD	8
RattleSnake Point Golf Club	Milton, ON, Canada	4
Century Country Club & Old Oaks Country Club	Purchase & Purchase, NY	10
Brookside Golf & Country Club & The Lakes Golf & Country Club	Columbus & Westerville, OH	16
Springfield Country Club	Springfield, OH	7
The Bear’s Club	Jupiter, FL	5
Hawks Creek Golf Club	Fort Worth, TX	10

US Open Golf Qualifying Scores

Qualifying Round	Local Qualifying	Sectional Qualifying
Par or better	70	144
+1 or better	71	145
+2 or better	72	146