Three LIV Players Among U.S. Open Qualifiers in Golf's Longest Day
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Olin Browne Jr. took 17 years to qualify for the U.S. Open and not only accomplished his goal on Monday at the final U.S. Open qualifier in Columbus, but also garnered medalist honors with a 11-under total.
Browne, 34, currently a mini-tour pro, was joined in double figures by PGA Tour professional Davis Thompson, who shot a 63 at Brookside Golf and Country Club and finished 10 under par.
“It's awesome, I'm exhausted right now” Browne Jr. said. “I just tried to keep doing what I was doing. I'm thrilled man. I can't wait. I'm so excited.”
PGA Tour professionals Eric Cole, Nicholas Echavarria of Colombia, Luke List, Patrick Rodgers, 50-year-old Stewart Cink and previous Korn Ferry Tour player Corey Pereira finished at 9 under to qualify.
The remaining three spots were filled after a four-man playoff which included 2009 U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, Kevin Streelman, amateurs Nick Dunlap and David Nyfjall of Norway.
On the third playoff hole, Glover attempted to get up and down out of a greenside bunker but pulled a 2-foot putt and became first alternate.
Browne will be playing in his first Open along with Echavarria, Pereira and Nyfjall.
Thompson will be playing in his second Open having missed the cut in the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
List has played in six U.S. Opens starting in 2003 and has never made the cut.
Cink has played in 22 U.S. Opens, with his best finish a third in the 2001 U.S. Open at Southern Hills Country Club, where he missed a playoff with Retief Goosen and Mark Brooks by a stroke when he double bogeyed the final hole.
Nine other sites determined 34 qualifiers:
- At Pine Tree Country Club in Boynton Beach, Fla., Carlos Ortiz—wearing a Fireballs GC hat and shirt from his LIV Golf team—advanced after 42 holes, surviving a 3-for-1 playoff. Austen Truslow and amateur Brendan Valdes also qualified.
- In Ball Ground, Ga., amateur Gordon Sargent will follow up a 2023 Masters appearance with a U.S. Open berth after shooting 13 under to take medalist honors. Georgia native Kyle Mueller and England's JJ Grey also qualified.
- LIV Golf's Sebastian Munoz advanced in a playoff in Rockville, Md. Three other amateurs claimed the remaining spots: Karl Vilips of Australia and Virginians Isaac Simmons and Michael Brennan.
- Amateur Michael Thorbjornsen took medalist honors in Summit, N.J., and will make his third U.S. Open start. The other three spots were claimed by Berry Henson, Andrew Svoboda and amateur Christian Cavaliere.
- Five pros made it through the other Ohio qualifier in Springfield: Sam Stevens, Canada's Taylor Pendrith, Nick Hardy, Alex Schaake and Dylan Wu. Hardy shot 71-61.
- In Durham, N.C., Japan's Yuto Katsuragawa and Patrick Cover were co-medalists, with Paul Barjon, Frankie Capan and Max Meissner also qualifying.
- Ryan Gerard took medalist honors in Toronto, Canada, with Vincent Norrman and Ryan Armour claiming the other spots.
- In Lakewood, Wash., amateur Alexander Yang of Hong Kong shared medalist honors with Jesse Schutte in a qualifier awarding two spots.
- At Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, LIV Golf's David Puig advanced along with amateurs Omar Morales of Mexico and Barclay Brown of England. Charley Hoffman, Josh Anderson and amateur Preston Summerhays will return Tuesday morning in a playoff for the final two spots.