The last stage of the 2025 U.S. Open Golf Championship qualifying—traditionally referred to as “Golf’s Longest Day”—provided just the type of excitement spectators and pundits demand. On June 2 at ten separate locations, this 36-hole tour-de-force decided the last 42 participants who would be competing at the historic Oakmont Country Club on June 12–15. While several marquee names emerged through the cut, others narrowly missed, revealing yet another twist in a season already filled with golfing thrills.
Cameron Young Grabs Last Position in Five-Man Playoff
In a dramatic playoff at the Columbus, Ohio qualifier, Cameron Young stepped up, sinking a tie-breaking birdie on the first hole of extra holes to secure his Oakmont trip. The playoff featured some big-time players—Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Eric Cole, and Chase Johnson—all of whom ended up at 5-under-par.
Young’s clutch play didn’t merely earn him a tournament spot—it reinforced his increasing reputation as among the toughest minds on tour. With margins this thin across the season, this moment might be the catalyst for a turning point in his 2025 season.
SportSnip Analysis:
Cameron Young’s pressure tolerance is indicative of the mental advantage required to endure not only the PGA Tour but specifically the grind of U.S. Open qualifiers. Look for him to bring that level of intensity with him to Oakmont, where toughness and accuracy will pay dividends.
Heartbreak for Homa and Fowler
Two fan favorites, Max Homa and Rickie Fowler, will miss this year’s U.S. Open—a tough blow for their supporters. Homa, a six-time PGA Tour winner, misjudged a short three-foot putt on his final hole—an error that proved costly as he failed to bounce back in the playoff. Fowler, whose resurgence has been a storyline of the last year, also missed the cut.
This is Homa’s first U.S. Open miss since 2019, a sour pill for a player who has been playing at the highest level consistently. Fowler’s is another installment in a rollercoaster career.
Editor’s Take:
Homa and Fowler both possess charisma, talent, and fan appeal. Their presence being missing at Oakmont is a loss for the fans as well as the event’s overall vibe.
Who Else Qualified? Other Key Qualifiers
The leader in Columbus was Erik van Rooyen with an eye-popping 13-under-par performance. He will be accompanied by Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, and Harrison Ott—all of whom were consistent and unfazed under stress.
In Canoe Brook Country Club in New Jersey, the qualifiers were:
James Nicholas
Chris Gotterup
Roberto Diaz
Ben James (Amateur)
Meanwhile, Duke University Golf Club in North Carolina had seven golfers qualify, such as Zach Bauchou and Alvaro Ortiz, bringing international flavor to the mix.
What’s Next? Final Field Set by June 9
While 42 players have qualified their way in, a handful of openings still exist through exemptions. The full 156-player lineup for the 125th U.S. Open will be finalized by June 9—just days ahead of the first tee shot at the iconic Oakmont Country Club.
Final Word from SportSnip
The U.S. Open is where the legends of golf get proven, and the path to Oakmont has already been lined with intrigue. It’s Young’s emergence, Homa’s disappointment, or van Rooyen’s domination, but one thing is certain: this year’s title is going to be one for the books.
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