The USGA announced additional exemptions and four alternates for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, finalizing the field of 156 players. One of the qualifying criteria is a top-60 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking. Robert MacIntyre and Adam Scott earned spots through recent victories and ranking changes. Alternates added to the field include Sergio Garcia, Otto Black, Maxwell Moldovan, and Brendan Valdes. Despite these additions, several notable players missed out on the 124th U.S. Open.
Joaquin Niemann, a player with LIV Golf since 2022, failed to qualify via the Jupiter, Fla., site. This will be the first U.S. Open Niemann has missed since 2019. Patrick Reed’s 41 consecutive major streak comes to an end as he had to withdraw from his qualifier. Carlos Ortiz’s absence is notable as he won the LIV Golf Houston and narrowly missed qualifying through the Dallas qualifier. Talor Gooch, who won three times on LIV last season, passed on trying to qualify for the U.S. Open despite his success.
Zach Johnson, the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup captain, missed out at the Springfield, Ohio, qualifying site for the third straight year. Keith Mitchell and Luke List fell short of qualifying despite strong performances. Joel Dahmen, a fan favorite, failed to make it out of the Dallas regional. Louis Oosthuizen, a former major staple, will miss his third straight U.S. Open after turning down a PGA Championship invite. Patrick Rodgers, ranked 88th, narrowly missed qualifying despite three top 10s this season.
The absence of these players highlights the competitive nature of U.S. Open qualifying and the challenges faced by even seasoned professionals. The U.S. Open remains one of golf’s most prestigious tournaments, with a field comprised of top players from around the world. The qualifying process ensures that only the best competitors earn a chance to compete at Pinehurst No. 2. While some familiar names will be missing from the field, the opportunity for up-and-coming talents to showcase their skills presents an exciting element to this year’s championship.
For fans, the absence of certain players may impact their viewing experience, as they will miss out on watching their favorite pros compete at the U.S. Open. However, the depth of talent in professional golf ensures that the tournament will still feature thrilling competition and exciting storylines. As the countdown to the championship begins, golf enthusiasts can look forward to seeing how the final field shapes up and which players will emerge as contenders for the U.S. Open title.
In conclusion, the U.S. Open field is set with 156 players ready to tee it up at Pinehurst No. 2. Despite the notable absences of players like Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann, the tournament promises to deliver high-level competition and drama. As fans await the start of the championship, the focus shifts to the players who did secure their spots and the potential for new stars to emerge on golf’s biggest stage. The U.S. Open remains a pinnacle event in the golf world, and the excitement surrounding this year’s tournament is palpable.
