In a bold move, Walsh documented both stages of his U.S. Open qualifying run: a red-hot, medalist performance at Palouse Ridge and a gut-check, 36-hole marathon at final qualifying in Dallas. The result? A candid, shot-by-shot portrayal of what it's really like to chase the dream—and what amateurs can learn from it.

Part 1: Local Qualifying at Palouse Ridge – A Masterclass in Preparation and Execution

The grind began in Pullman, WA, where Walsh braved cold, gusty winds to fire a remarkable 63 (-7) at Palouse Ridge. His approach was simple but surgical: give himself 18 looks at birdie.

“I wanted 18 birdie putts. That was the goal from the start,” Walsh explained.

With his dad on the bag, Walsh opened with birdies on two of his first three holes and reached 6-under through 10. He chipped in on 17 to cap off a round that had him briefly flirting with 59.

What Made It Work?

• Elite Course Management: Knowing the course well, Walsh used slopes and sightlines to his advantage.
• Commitment to a Plan: His 18-birdie-look strategy kept him aggressive but disciplined.
• Adaptability: He battled through “can’t-feel-my-hands” conditions with smart club choices and flight control.
• A Putting ‘Heater’: Several long-range makes, boosted by a rediscovered pre-round drill, turned chances into red numbers.

Walsh's round wasn’t just hot—it was efficient. GIR and fairways were consistently hit, and his mindset stayed rooted in process over outcome, even when the idea of 59 crept in.

Part 2: Sectional Qualifying – The Reality of “Golf’s Longest Day”

Fast forward to Dallas: 36 holes at Bent Tree Country Club, the final step to reaching Oakmont.

It didn’t go as planned.

Walsh shot one-over in the morning wave and admitted the second round was where things unraveled. Unlike the controlled local round, his driver betrayed him early, sending balls left and into trouble. Birdie looks went begging. Frustration simmered.

“I felt like I was hitting it OK but just couldn’t build momentum,” he said. “It was a grind.”

The Harsh Truths of Final Qualifying

• Fatigue is Real: The mental and physical toll of 36 competitive holes showed in his second round.
• Execution > Strategy: He still leaned on Scott Fawcett-inspired course management but couldn’t always pull the trigger.
• Self-Awareness Counts: Walsh owned his struggles, citing travel fatigue and an off-week with the driver.
• Keep Swinging: Even knowing he was likely out of contention, he fought to finish strong—for himself and the camera.

Behind the Lens – Documenting the Dream

What makes this journey special isn’t just the golf. It’s the fact that we see it all—success, struggle, setbacks, and small victories—through Walsh’s lens.

With his dad filming locally and friend Cam on the camera in Dallas, Walsh gave viewers an unfiltered look at what chasing the U.S. Open really feels like. Even when the camera battery died mid-round, he kept the story going with an iPhone. No excuses, no spin—just raw, real golf.

“I wanted to show the real process… not just the highlights.”

The Takeaways for Competitive Amateurs

Walsh’s filmed journey offers a masterclass in both performance and perspective:

• Have a Plan—Then Trust It: His local round was built around one clear goal: create chances. Even when execution faltered at sectionals, the plan was sound.
• Course Knowledge is Power: Knowing Palouse inside-out helped him manage risk and play to strengths.
• Golf is a Game of Peaks and Valleys: One day you’re making everything, the next you're grinding just to make par. Both are part of the journey.
• Mental Toughness Wins: Letting go of a “59 watch” mid-round. Resetting after a tough hole. Playing on when you know you're out of the hunt. These are the moments that reveal a player's true edge.
• Share the Process: For anyone serious about competitive golf, Walsh’s transparency is a rare gift. There’s learning in both his successes and struggles.

A Journey Worth Watching

Sean Walsh didn’t make the U.S. Open. But he made something arguably more lasting—a blueprint for what it looks like to chase greatness, one swing at a time.

His filmed story belongs on every competitive golfer’s watch list—not for highlight reels, but for its honesty, strategy, and unfiltered emotion. For those plotting their own qualifying run, it’s more than relatable. It’s a roadmap.