How do you qualify for the U.S. Open as an amateur?

WildcatCoach · February 9, 2007

I am relatively new to the site, but I love reading all the great posts on here. I don't know if this has been posted here before or not, but I wanted to know how you qualify for the U.S. Open. In talking with local pros, I have heard talk of handicap #'s and regional qualifiers. Would anyone be able to elaborate on the process? Where do you register? Has anyone on here gone through the process and made it? It has been a dream of mine for awhile. Any info is greatly appreciated!

2zlinks · February 9, 2007

Applications for the 2007 US Open begin the first week in March. As far as the process in general, you have to have a hcp of 1.4 or less. You then compete at a regional qualifier, if you advance then a 36 hole sectional qualifier. Go to www.usga.org for more information.

rybo · February 9, 2007

You'll need a valid USGA handicap of usually around 2 or better. You will then play 18 holes in a local qualifier. If you 'qualify', finish in one of the positions available, at the local you will advance to the sectional qualifier. Play 36 holes and if you make it through sectionals you are in the US Open.

Gone through it, never qualified.

681blade · February 9, 2007

I have never gone through the process personally, but from what I understand and have been told, the local qualifier is mainly local amateurs and pga club pros and is not nearly as competitive as Sectionals, where you then are competing against PGA Tour Pros.

dcw3672 · February 9, 2007

Here's the deal: making the US Open as an amateur is almost impossible. There are just too many great players (including non-exempt pros) playing for too few spots.

But, if you can make it out of your local qualifier (which is possible) - then just competing at the Sectional is worth it. You will be playing against a bunch of pros and top amateurs, you may even be paired with a few. The experience would be priceless.

johnnypro · February 9, 2007

As long as your USGA handicap is 1.4 or better and you got the money for the entrance fee...go for it! ;)

www.usga.org for details.

purk4president · February 9, 2007

Local qualifying isn't super difficult as long as you got game, but sectionals is an absolute BEAR ;)

This is where you find actual PGA pro's becuase they are automatically exempt from local qualifying...generally your 36 hole score needs to be 4 under or better!!

specialblend218 · February 9, 2007

Local qualifying isn't super difficult as long as you got game, but sectionals is an absolute BEAR ;)

This is where you find actual PGA pro's becuase they are automatically exempt from local qualifying...generally your 36 hole score needs to be 4 under or better!!

Local qualifying can be pretty tough depending on who shows up at each qualifier. One time we had a playoff for the last spot, there was 3 people competing that shot 67 on a not so easy course.

LYG · February 9, 2007

I played the local qualifying in 1982...as a PGA (club) apprentice, I could try. Played 36 holes on Atlanta Athletic Club (site of David Toms' and Larry Nelson's PGA major wins) that day with Tommy Armour III. It was a bear. Did not make it.

It was Monday after the Atlanta PGA event so all the touring pro's were playing that day. Low man was a 21 year old local college graduate from Georgia Tech named Larry Mize.

Lawson

Baller · February 9, 2007

Local qualifying isn't super difficult as long as you got game, but sectionals is an absolute BEAR ;)

This is where you find actual PGA pro's becuase they are automatically exempt from local qualifying...generally your 36 hole score needs to be 4 under or better!!

Plus in Local qualifying there is only one or two spots available for about 150 golfers.

enterprise920 · February 9, 2007

i was 2 strokes out of it last year for Winged Foot.

Local Qualifying was a cinch compared to sectionals. At local qualifying i didnt have to go super low. I think the number was 69 and it was at a course with little to no trouble, medium speed greens and only about 6800 yards.

Sectional qualifying was a different story though. At sectionals is where you start to see actual PGA tour pros. Sectionals for me was at Lake Merced GC in san fransisco. Its a great track, long, lined with huge cypress trees, if you miss a green you are below it and in a bunker, slopes are big, rough was stout. At my sectional qualifying, 68-69 made it which was a great score but not phenomenal. there were alot of well known players there such as Mcarron, Sutherland, Levin.

the only way to learn what it takes is to just go out and do it. Good luck!