Want To Play In The U.S. Open?

The US Open is the only major PGA event that allows anyone a chance to compete for a spot on the field.

Golfers can sign up to play regional qualifiers to begin the process. Orville Moody is the last person to qualify for the event and then win it.

The United States Golf Association has accepted a total of 9049 entries for the 2018 US Open Championship, to be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (see accompanying article) on Long Island for the 10th time from June 14 to 17.

So far, there are 54 players already in the field, including 12 past champions; they are fully exempt from having to qualify because of prior victories on The Tour.

The USGA accepted entries for the 118th US Open from golfers in all 50 states, including 408 from New York, as well as the District of Columbia and 80 foreign countries.

“The continued worldwide interest in competing in the US Open Championship, golf’s ultimate test, remains significant,” said Stuart Francis, USGA Championship Committee chairman. “We look forward to conducting local and sectional qualifying and to hosting the US Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, one of the five founding members of the USGA, for the fifth time.”

Brooks Koepka, the 2017 champion, and 11 other Open champions have lifetime exemptions. They are: Ernie Els (1994, 1997), Jim Furyk (2003), Lucas Glover (2009), Dustin Johnson (2016),

Martin Kaymer (2014), Graeme McDowell (2010), Rory McIlroy (2011), Justin Rose (2013), Webb Simpson (2012), Jordan Spieth (2015), and Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008).

rmurphy@indyeastend.com