Final qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open Championship is officially underway as of May 19, launching the most demanding phase in the journey to Oakmont Country Club. Across 13 venues in the U.S., England, Japan, and Canada, 254 amateurs are competing alongside seasoned professionals in a grueling 36-hole sprint known as
Golf’s Longest Day. The road began at 110 local qualifying sites—and now, the stakes and difficulty rise sharply.
This year’s amateur contingent is among the most diverse and competitive in recent memory. From collegiate standouts like Jake Birdwell and Jackson Buchanan to YouTube phenom Sean Walsh and global talents representing countries from Sweden to South Africa, the field reflects both the depth and international reach of the modern game.
Each amateur earned their spot through strong performances in 18-hole local qualifiers, where the average advancing score was an impressive 68.3—and several players posted rounds of 64 or better. Now, they must prove themselves once more, this time over two high-stakes rounds on some of the most demanding courses in the world.
Final qualifying opened May 19 in Japan and England, and continues with a wave of U.S.-based qualifiers, culminating on June 2. At stake: a coveted place in the field at Oakmont Country Club, which will host a record 10th U.S. Open. Representing nations such as France, Iceland, Portugal, Australia, Thailand, Canada, Argentina, and more, this year’s amateur hopefuls showcase the international ambition and competitive fire that defines the U.S. Open.
The Amateur Gauntlet Begins
Final qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open Championship is officially underway as of May 19, launching the most demanding phase in the journey to Oakmont Country Club. Across 13 venues in the U.S., England, Japan, and Canada, 254 amateurs are competing alongside seasoned professionals in a grueling 36-hole sprint known as Golf’s Longest Day. The road began at 110 local qualifying sites—and now, the stakes and difficulty rise sharply.
This year’s amateur contingent is among the most diverse and competitive in recent memory. From collegiate standouts like Jake Birdwell and Jackson Buchanan to YouTube phenom Sean Walsh and global talents representing countries from Sweden to South Africa, the field reflects both the depth and international reach of the modern game.
Each amateur earned their spot through strong performances in 18-hole local qualifiers, where the average advancing score was an impressive 68.3—and several players posted rounds of 64 or better. Now, they must prove themselves once more, this time over two high-stakes rounds on some of the most demanding courses in the world.
Who’s Already In: 85 Players Now Exempt
While hundreds of players chase their dreams through final qualifying, the field for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont continues to take shape. The USGA announced 36 additional exemptions on May 19, bringing the total number of fully exempt players to 85. Notable names include former U.S. Open champions Lucas Glover and Justin Rose, as well as 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Evan Beck and 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up Jose Luis Ballester. They are among just five amateurs currently exempt. The rest will have to earn it the hard way—reinforcing just how high the stakes are for those teeing it up in final qualifying.
Highlight Amateur Stories
- Jake Birdwell (Blaine, Minn.) – Shot a blistering 62 to lead all local qualifying scores and enters final qualifying as a player to watch.
- Jackson Buchanan (Dacula, Ga.) – 2025 Byron Nelson Award winner and Illinois standout, Buchanan carded a 67 to cruise through his local site.
- Luke Sample (New York, N.Y.) – The Duke senior fired a bogey-free 63 at Laurel Creek to top one of the toughest local fields.
- Sean Walsh (Keller, TX) – The Good Good Golf YouTube member torched Palouse Ridge with a 63 and brings a strong social following into the spotlight.
Final Qualifying Venues
Final Qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open will be contested across 13 venues—three on May 19 and ten on June 2—spanning four countries:
ποΈ May 19 Sites
Bent Tree Country Club – Dallas, Texas
π Leaderboard Here
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark shot 66-65 to finish at 11-under 131 and earn medalist honors at Bent Tree Country Club. He was followed by James Hahn and Adam Schenk at 132, both comfortably qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
The qualifying number landed at 8-under 134, where four additional players advanced, including amateurs Lance Simpson and Cameron Tankersley, who shot 65 and 66 in the final round. Carlos Ortiz also qualified at that number.
A five-for-one playoff at 135 (-7) determined the final spot. Johnny Keefer emerged to claim the last ticket to Oakmont, while Doug Ghim and Cameron Tringale earned first and second alternate positions. Preston Stout, a sophomore at Oklahoma State and Dallas native, was among those edged out in the playoff.
π Don’t miss the full story: Simpson and Tankersley punch their tickets to Oakmont at Bent Tree Final Qualifying
Tarao Country Club (West Course) – Shiga Prefecture, Japan
π Leaderboard Here
Yuta Sugiura of Japan and Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe shared medalist honors at Tarao Country Club with matching 10-under-par totals of 134. Sugiura fired a final-round 66 to surge into the lead, while Vincent carded steady 67s on both sides of the draw. Jinichiro Kozuma secured the final qualifying spot at 135 with a closing 67, edging out four players who also finished at 9-under but fell short via tiebreaker. Japan’s Riki Kawamoto and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho claimed the first and second alternate positions, respectively.
Walton Heath Golf Club (Old and New Courses) – Surrey, England
π Leaderboard Here
Jordan Smith of England led a tightly packed international field to claim medalist honors at Walton Heath with rounds of 64 and 70 for a 10-under-par total of 134. His opening round featured seven birdies and an eagle, while his closing 70 was enough to hold off challengers from Sweden, Italy, and France. Joakim Lagergren, Guido Migliozzi, and Frederic Lacroix all finished one back at 135. Sam Bairstow vaulted 28 spots with a final-round 66 to finish solo fifth. A logjam at 137 (-7) rounded out the top tier, with Edoardo Molinari, Matthew Jordan, and Jacques Kruyswijk among the notable names advancing or just missing out.
ποΈ June 2 Sites (Live scoring links coming soon)
Canoe Brook Country Club (North & South Courses) – Summit, New Jersey
Live scoring coming soon
Duke University Golf Club – Durham, North Carolina
Live scoring coming soon
Emerald Dunes Golf Club – West Palm Beach, Florida
Live scoring coming soon
Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club – Columbus, Ohio
Live scoring coming soon
Lambton Golf & Country Club – York, Ontario, Canada
Live scoring coming soon
Piedmont Driving Club – Atlanta, Georgia
Live scoring coming soon
Springfield Country Club – Springfield, Ohio
Live scoring coming soon
Valencia Country Club – Valencia, California
Live scoring coming soon
Wine Valley Golf Club – Walla Walla, Washington
Live scoring coming soon
Woodmont Country Club (North Course) – Rockville, Maryland
Live scoring coming soon
Each of these 36-hole venues will test players’ stamina and skill, with final qualifying spots allocated based on field strength. From international settings to storied U.S. tracks, these courses represent the last step on the Road to Oakmont.
Previewing the 2025 U.S. Open Final Qualifying Venues
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The drama of final qualifying is unmatched in golf. For amateurs, this is more than just a chance to play in a major—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make their mark. With 36 holes standing between them and history, these players face a crucible that tests every part of their game.
Follow along as we cover each site, profile standout performers, and track the amateur success stories that may soon become part of Oakmont lore.
Record-Breaking Field: 10,202 Entries and a New Era for the U.S. Open
The USGA has officially accepted 10,202 entries for the 125th U.S. Open Championship, to be held June 12–15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. It’s the highest number in championship history — a new benchmark for what’s widely considered golf’s most democratic major.
According to USGA spokesperson Brian DePasquale, entries poured in from all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., and 80 different countries, highlighting the event’s growing global appeal and the deepening talent pool across amateur and professional ranks.
But this record isn’t just a stat — it’s a signal. A signal that golf is evolving, expanding, and becoming more accessible in ways the game has long aspired to. This isn’t just a U.S. Open moment. It’s a golf movement.
Oakmont: A Timeless Test for a New Generation
Hosting the championship for the 10th time, Oakmont is a stage like no other. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. And it demands everything from those who tee it up.
Designated as a USGA anchor site, Oakmont will continue to host future U.S. Opens in 2033, 2042, and 2049. But it’s this year — with its record-breaking entry field and wide-open possibilities — that may be remembered as the start of a new era.
Source: USGA press release by Brian DePasquale
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