TAMPA, Fla. – The road to the 124th U.S. Open Championship began this week with three of the first 14 local qualifiers happening. Professional and amateur golfers alike tee it up in.png)
hopes of making it to this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Once making it through Local Qualifying, players get the opportunity to play in the Final Qualifier to have a chance at playing in the U.S. Open. Final Qualifying is set to be held at ten golf courses throughout the United States, as well as one golf course in Canada, England, and Japan, respectively.
The state of Florida will host one of the ten Final Qualifiers, taking place at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter. Players that made it through local qualifying will join those who have already earned exemptions into the final stage. Once making it through 18 holes at Local Qualifying and 36 holes at Final Qualifying, the top finishers will see their names added to the 156-player field at the 124th U.S. Open. Below are the qualifiers from the first three sites this week.
Lost Key Golf Club
Christian Bosso of Pensacola, Fla. - Co-Medalist
Finishing in a two-way tie for first at the first qualifying event of the year, Bosso posted a round of 68 (-3). After bogeying his first hole, the Pensacola professional proceeded to make five birdies and just one bogey to finish at 3 under. The Assistant Men’s Golf Coach at the University of West Florida is looking forward to moving onto Final Qualifying.
Jonathan Hardee – Co-Medalist
Also co-medaling at Lost Key, Bai fired a round of 68 (-3). Hardee saw a rocky start to the round with two bogeys in the first three holes, but proceeded to birdie five of the next eight. Carding a 33 on the back nine placed him in the tie for first. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Hardee finished in the top ten at one of nine starts in his most recent season (2022) on the PGA Tour Canada, and has made two career cuts as a professional.
Mission Resort + Club – El Campeon
Willie Mack of Orlando, Fla. – Co-Medalist
Firing four birdies on the first nine, Mack carded a 3-under-par 32 to set the tone for qualifying at Mission Resort + Club. He followed that up with three more birdies on the back to finish at 67 (-5) and Co-Medalist. A 13-year veteran of the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Latinoamerica, Mack has started in 34 events and made 13 career cuts.
Jake Peacock (a) of Milton, GA. – Co-Medalist
One of two amateurs to qualify out of the Mission Resort + Club site, Peacock carded no bogeys in his first eleven holes of play. A bogey and a double bogey on the back nine meant that he would have to put up eight birdies to secure his spot as Co-Medalist, shooting 67 (-5). At 222 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Peacock is looking forward to regionals with the chance of going to the NCAA Championship.
Nolan Harper (a) of Saint Augustine, FLA.
In a three-way tie for third at 68 (-4), Harper saw four birdies and no bogeys in his round at Mission Resort + Club. The 18 year old has signed his National Letter of Intent with Florida Gulf Coast University for the 2024-2025 season after a successful junior career, currently sitting at 125 on the Rolex Rankings.
Kevin Andre Wright of Norway
Firing five birdies and one bogey, Wright joined Harper as a qualifier at their site with a 68 (-4). A veteran of the PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamerica, the 28 year old turned pro in 2015, with a 68.92 scoring average for four events recorded in the European Golf Rankings.
Roberto Nieves of Puerto Rico
After bogeying the first and 17th holes of play, Nieves posted a 68 (-4) with six birdies to solidify is spot as one of five qualifiers out of Mission Resort + Club. A graduate student playing for the University of Pepperdine in the 2022-2023 season, Nieves also posted scores on the PGA Tour at the Puerto Rico Open- his second appearance at the event.
The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club
Michael Buttacavoli (A/R) of Miami Beach, Fla. – Medalist
As the sole medalist at the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club, Buttacavoli’s card was colorful with an eagle, three birdies, and two bogeys on his way to shooting 69 (-4) at The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club. The 36 year old made his professional debut in 2010, after graduating from Rice University in 2010. The reinstated amateur looks to qualify for his first U.S. Open
Mark Brown of Hobe Sound, Fla.
After posting a one-over-par 37 on the front nine of his round, Brown battled back with two birdies to card a 34 on the back and shoot 71 (-1) for the day. The 2016 Player of the Year in the PGA of America’s MET Section, the fifty-year-old is renowned for his instruction at Stuart Yacht & Country Club.
Justin Allen of Canada
Firing a 71 (-1) at the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club, Allen posted four birdies and three bogeys on the day. A graduate of Guelph University in Ontario, Allen was a standout for the Gryphons, having closed out his collegiate career in 2023 by finishing 3rd overall at the Canadian Nationals.
Chris Ingham of Miami, FLA
Rounding out the three way tie for 2nd, Ingham posted an adventurous 71 (-1) with an eagle, six birdies, four bogeys, and one double-bogey. The 31-year-old has been a part of the PGA Tour Latinoamerica and PGA Tour Canada. Some of his professional starts include the BW Onsjo Open and the Greatdays Trophy.
Jonah Wasserstrom of Hollywood, FLA (a)
The final qualifier to advance from The Legacy Golf and Tennis Club, Wasserstrom fired five birdies, two bogeys, and one double bogey to shoot an even-par 72. Last season, the amateur player made appearances in both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Mid-Amateur in 2023.
Look for this story to be updated each week on the qualifiers from each site. Click here for scoring.
