Making the U.S. Open: Qualifying and Exemptions Explained
Think you have what it takes to play in the U.S. Open? The USGA invites you to try.
As a true Open, the championship is open to all. Getting there is simple, but not easy. For an amateur to qualify for the U.S. Open, they need to first get their handicap down to 1.4 or lower. Then they’re eligible for an 18-hole local qualifier, and if they play well enough there, it’s on to a 36-hole final qualifier. Those who play well enough in the final qualifying advance to the field of 156 who play in the U.S. Open.
In addition to open qualifying, the USGA also gives exemptions to players who meet certain criteria (see below for complete details).
