Golf’s Longest Day

Sectional qualifying day for the US Open, often referred to as “Golf’s Longest Day,” never disappoints for providing drama and great highs and lows. The 2024 iteration lived up to the hype. We saw the longest majors played streak potentially come to an end. Amateurs beating PGA Tournament winners and LIV stars. Pros who have toiled on mini-tours for years finally earning a ticket to shine on golf’s biggest stage.

Yesterday’s Sectional Qualifiers took place at 10 sites throughout the US and Canada. There were a total of 672 competing for 44 spots in the field at Pinehurst. The number of qualifiers per site varied by the strength of the field as determined by the USGA.

Adam Scott’s 91 Consecutive Major Streak in Jeopardy

Ranked 60th in the world and not in the field this week for the Memorial (any golfer ranked in the top 60 at the completion of this week’s tournaments not otherwise in the field is given an invitation), Adam Scott teed it up at Springfield Country Club in Ohio as one of 64 players competing for four spots. Scott finished at 7 under in a tie with fellow Aussie Cam Davis (ranked 66th) for the fourth and final qualifying spot. Scott chipped in for birdie on the first playoff hole only to watch Davis roll in a putt for birdie to keep the playoff going. Davis defeated his childhood hero to take the final spot. Scott’s streak that began in 2001 may end unless he somehow remains in the top 60 of the world ranking or makes it into the field as an alternate.

LIV Golf League Disappoints

19 LIV Golf League members attempted to qualify for Pinehurst. Only 3 succeeded. Dean Burmester qualified in Florida and David Puig earned medalist honors at Lake Merced in California. Recently touted as “the best golfer in the world” Joaquin Niemann finished one stroke off the pace and was defeated by 3 amateurs at the Bear Club in Florida.

Higgs Continues His Hot Play

Harry Higgs won the final the final spot at the Duke University Course. In a playoff. This continues his run that began with Monday qualifying into a Korn Ferry Tour event that he went on to win in a playoff. He followed that win with a second consecutive playoff win on the KFT before earning his place in the field at Pinehurst.

Dreams Realized

A number of NCAA students were among those who achieved their dream of entry into the US Open. Among those was FSU standout Luke Clanton who earned one of the 7 spots available in Florida. “Making the first US Open is pretty sweet. I’m pretty excited.”

“Its about damn time.” The emotional words of John Chin who will be playing in his first major next week. “The last couple of years have been a grind. I’m super excited and happy.”

One of the more interesting amateurs who earned their way into the championship is Colin Prater, a high school teacher and golf coach from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prater was an All-American in college who chose not to pursue a professional golf career and instead was drawn to teaching and coaching high school students.