COLUMBUS, Ohio — On a long day when it seemed everything was going wrong, Cameron Young birdied three of his last four holes Monday to get into a five-way playoff and then made a 12-foot birdie to earn his spot in the U.S. Open in two weeks at Oakmont.
The drama went coast-to-coast, and even north of the border into Canada, with 47 places available at 10 qualifying sites to fill the field for the major regarded the toughest test in golf.
Young advanced with his clutch play, while Rickie Fowler was eliminated with a bogey.
Young, already enduring a tough year that forced him to do a 36-hole qualifier, hit 9-iron to 8 feet for birdie on the 15th, birdied the par-5 16th and then hit wedge to 18 inches on the final hole to earn a spot in the 5-for-1 playoff.
“I feel like I showed myself something today,” he said. “For so long today I saw nothing go in.”
The playoff began on the 10th hole, and Young hit driver into the left rough and judged his wedge perfectly to 12 feet below the hole.
“I started my day here 12 hours ago and made a 3, so I tried to do it again,” he said.
Erik van Rooyen opened with a 64 at Kinsale and had no trouble getting to Oakmont for the U.S. Open on June 12-15. He wound up six shots ahead of the field. Other qualifiers were Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower and, at No. 2,651 in the world ranking, Harrison Ott.
Cauley is No. 56 in the world, and is likely to stay in the top 60 after the Canadian Open and get in through that category. If that happens, Chase Johnson will get to his first U.S. Open. He won the playoff for the two alternate spots with Eric Cole.
In the other Ohio qualifier in Springfield, Zac Blair won a four-way playoff for the last spot by outlasting John Peterson, a former PGA Tour player who retired and then asked to be reinstated as an amateur.
The four spots from the Florida qualifier did not finish because of a rain delay. In California, Preston Summerhays of Arizona State led three of the four qualifiers. A playoff for the final spot between Joey Herrera and Lucas Carper was to be completed on Tuesday.
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June 2nd, 2025. A date circled on many a golfer’s calendar. It’s golf’s longest day, a day where dreams are realized and others are deferred. A day of intense competition where the stakes are incredibly high. For Cameron Young, this particular June 2nd was more than just another day on the course. It was a crucible, a test of nerves, skill, and unwavering determination. The final US Open qualifier held at the legendary Oakmont Country Club was designed to be brutal. Oakmont, known for its unforgiving greens and treacherous bunkers, would push every player to their absolute limit. After an exhausting day of golf, Young found himself in a playoff tied with several other hopefuls. The pressure was mounting with each passing moment. He was fighting for a coveted spot in one of golf’s most prestigious major championships, the US Open. The opportunity was within reach, but he had to earn it. 36 holes of grueling golf under the scorching sun had led to this moment. Every swing, every step had been a battle against the course and against himself. Every shot was under a microscope, scrutinized by himself, his team, and the other competitors. There was no room for error. The pressure immense. The weight of expectation bore down on every player, threatening to crack even the most seasoned veterans. One errant shot, one misjudged putt, one small mistake could send you home, crushing your dreams of competing in the US Open. But conversely, one great shot, one clutch putt, one moment of brilliance could change your career trajectory forever, opening doors to new opportunities and greater recognition. Young battled through the inevitable highs and lows of the day, the moments of brilliance and the frustrating setbacks that are part and parcel of the game. But he never let up, never lost his focus, never allowed the pressure to overwhelm him. He kept fighting, kept grinding, kept believing in himself. The leaderboard was a roller coaster, a constant flux of names and scores, reflecting the eb and flow of the competition. At times, Cameron Young was safely inside the qualifying positions, seemingly assured of his place in the US Open field. But then a dropped shot here, a missed putt there, and suddenly he was on the outside looking in. His fate hanging in the balance. His fans, his family, and his team felt every swing, every putt, every agonizing moment of uncertainty. They were invested in his success, sharing in his triumphs and his disappointments. He needed to dig deep to summon every ounce of his physical and mental strength. To stay composed under the intense pressure, he had to find that extra gear, that reserve of energy and focus that separates the champions from the also rans. Every putt was magnified, every drive scrutinized, magnified under the intense glare of the competition. After a grueling day that stretched from sunrise to sunset, after enduring the physical and emotional toll of 36 holes, it all came down to a sudden death playoff. The tension was palpable. More golf, more pressure, more opportunities for things to go wrong. But Young stood tall, his resolve unwavering. He embraced the challenge, refusing to be intimidated by the moment. When the final pressure-packed putt dropped into the hole, a wave of relief washed over him, erasing the fatigue and the anxiety of the long day. He’d done it. He had conquered Oakmont and secured his place in the US Open. He secured his coveted US Open spot, a testament to his skill, his perseverance, and his unwavering belief in himself. There was no massive gallery erupting in cheers, no stadium-sized roar of agilation. Instead, there was a more intimate, more personal roar of triumph, a celebration shared with his closest supporters. He exhaled deeply, knowing that he’d survived the storm, that he had overcome the odds and achieved his goal. This was more than just a qualification for a golf tournament. It was a testament to his unwavering grit, his mental fortitude, and his ability to perform under immense pressure. Young proved to himself and to the world that he could handle the heat, that he could rise to the occasion when it mattered most. The journey was long and arduous, filled with challenges and obstacles at every turn. But the reward, the opportunity to compete in the US Open, was immense, a dream come true for any aspiring golfer. He earned every single bit of it through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. Oakmont awaits with all its challenges and its storied history. And Cameron Young is ready to take it on, armed with his talent, his determination, and the confidence gained from his hard-fought victory. What a performance under pressure. What a defining moment in a young career. This is precisely what golf’s longest day is all about. The drama, the heartbreak, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. Cameron Young, US Open bound, ready to test his medal against the best golfers in the world. To reach that playoff, a coveted spot in a major championship, Young had to deliver clutch golf, showing nerves of steel when the stakes were at their absolute highest. It’s not just about talent. It’s about execution under immense pressure, when it mattered most. Every swing, every putt, scrutinized and analyzed on the tricky par47th, a hole that had been causing problems for many players all day. His drive found the rough, a challenging start to a hole where par was a precious commodity. The approach, a shot that could make or break his chances. Tough lie, making the already difficult shot even more precarious. Bunkers guarding the green, a true test of skill and nerve. He muscled it to the front edge, 30 ft from the hole, leaving himself a lengthy putt with significant break. The pressure was on for a two putt. Anything worse would be a disaster. He read the green, carefully assessing the undulations and the speed. Lagged it close, a masterful display of touch and control, and tapped in for par, a crucial par, hard-earned and welldeserved. That par felt like a birdie, kept his hopes alive. Momentum is everything in golf, and that par save provided a huge boost. Then the 18th, a demanding par4, the final hurdle. He needed par, maybe birdie to stay alive. The tension was palpable. Drive fairway. A perfect start to the final hole. Approach 15 ft past the flag. Setting up a good look at birdie. Birdie putt slid by agonizingly close to dropping. Leaving 3 ft for par. A knee knocker. 3 ft can feel like 30 with everything on the line. The weight of the moment bearing down. He studied himself, took a deep breath, and focused on the task at hand. Rolled it in. Pure relief. That par secured his playoff spot. A moment of triumph after a grueling battle. No fireworks, just pure determination. The quiet intensity of a true competitor. Gritty, composed, a testament to his mental fortitude. Exactly what US Open qualifying demands. The ultimate test of a golfer’s all-around game. Young earned his place with guts, not glamour. He stared down the pressure and didn’t blink. It was about survival, not style. Every shot a battle. Every hole a war. He delivered when it counted. Showing the world what he’s made of. That’s how you make it to the playoff. Through sheer grit and determination. That’s how you keep the dream alive. One shot at a time. One tournament at a time. Cameron Young. Clutch under pressure. A name to remember. After 36 holes, a true test of endurance. Fatigue was etched on Young’s face. The physical toll was undeniable, each step heavier than the last. He called it a mental marathon, every shot heavy with consequence. The weight of expectation pressed down with each swing. Doubt crept in after a missed green or a silly bogey. Those little mistakes loomed large. Staying positive was a battle, a constant fight against negativity. You just try to hang in there, Young said. That’s all you can do. A couple of loose swings, a costly bogey. He wondered if that would be the difference. The smallest error could be the undoing. The pressure was real. The stakes enormous. A chance at glory hung in the balance. Patience was key. Knowing everyone struggled at some point. It was a matter of minimizing the damage. The course was tough. Fast greens, thick rough. A true US Open test. Every hole presented a new challenge. Young couldn’t afford to get too aggressive or too tentative. Finding the right balance was crucial. His caddy helped keep him grounded, reminding him to stick to the plan. Trusting the process one shot at a time. Resilience shone through. He kept fighting, hit the crucial shots. When it mattered most, he delivered. The ability to reset after a bad hole, to capitalize on a good break, set him apart. It was the hallmark of a champion. Young bent, but didn’t break. He weathered the storm. His mental strength was as important as any shot. It was the foundation of his success. That’s what got him to the playoff. A testament to his grit and determination. That’s what makes a qualifier. Young’s score put him in a tie for the final US Open spots. Cue the playoff drama. Five players, three spots, sudden death. Hole by hole. Nerves on edge. Exhausted after 36 holes. Now perfection was required. One bad swing and your dream ends. The first playoff hole. Eerie silence. Every shot magnified. Young stuck to his routine, focused and composed. Some played aggressive, others safe. Young found the middle ground. A steady par kept him alive as the group thinned. With each hole, tension ratcheted up. Players managed their nerves, breathing, and focus. Every shot could be the difference. It was a true test of skill and nerve. Young kept advancing one hole at a time. The pressure never let up. The playoff wore on. Young and one rival left for the final US Open spot. They matched pars. Pressure mounting. The third playoff hole. A par three over water, pin tucked. Young took his time, visualized, and struck a pure iron. The ball landed 10 feet from the hole. Brilliant under pressure. His opponent missed the green, failed to save Parr. Young needed two putts to win. He wanted just one. The birdie putt lipped out, but he tapped in for Par. Parr was enough. He’d done it. Secured his US Open place. Relief, satisfaction, and a handshake. That iron shot was the dagger. The moment that sealed it. Young delivered when it mattered most. Championship caliber golf under the spotlight. He earned his place at Oakmont. The playoff was a battle of nerves and skill. Young proved he could handle both. That’s how you qualify for the US Open. That’s how legends are made. Cameron Young, playoff hero. While Young celebrated, others faced heartbreak. Ricky Fowler, a fan favorite, fought hard but fell short. 36 holes, a few missed chances, and he missed the cut. US Open qualifying is relentless. One mistake can end your dream. Fowler wasn’t alone. Many big names and rising stars came up just short. A lipped out putt, a drive in the water, tiny margins, huge consequences. For every triumph, there are dozens of disappointments. Players pour everything into this day only to miss by a stroke. It’s the brutal reality of qualifying. Nothing is given. Everything is earned. Even your best might not be enough. Our hearts go out to those who came up short. That’s the agony of golf’s longest day, but hope always returns next year. Young’s playoff win was just one story among many on US Open qualifying day. Across the country, thousands chase the same dream. From pros to amateurs, a select few emerged. The US Open spirit. Anyone can qualify. Anyone can dream. Qualifiers came from all backgrounds. PGA Tour pros, cornfairy hopefuls, college stars, club pros. Each journey unique, each victory hard-earned. a college sophomore or a club pro could find themselves at Oakmont. Some broke through after years of trying. Others made it on their first attempt. The joy and relief were unmistakable. Over 9,000 entered. Only a few hundred advanced. For every young, countless others fell short. Those who made it represent the best of the grind. That’s the magic of US Open qualifying. Golf’s longest day is a marathon. 36 holes, every shot magnified. No margin for error. One bad nine can end your run. The mental grind is as tough as the physical. Players battle fatigue, nerves, and brutal course setups. Anyone with the skill can try. Pros and amateurs alike. The open nature means underdogs can topple favorites. Careers are made or broken in a single day. Fans follow every twist, rooting for their heroes. The stories, clutch shots, near misses, become US Open lore. Qualifying is a badge of honor. Proof of grit. Only the toughest survive. That’s what makes it special for Young. This qualification is more than just a ticket. It’s validation. Oakmont is legendary, unforgiving, and he earned his place. The confidence boost is huge. He proved he can handle extreme pressure. He’s shown flashes on the PGA Tour. Now he’s ready for the big stage. He’ll face the world’s best at one of golf’s toughest venues. This is a chance to make a statement. The qualifying grind taught him he can grind, hit clutch shots, and reset under pressure. Oakmont will demand even more, but he’s ready. He’s not just happy to be there. He wants to contend. This could be a springboard for his career. Young has the talent, power, and heart. The US Open at Oakmont will be mustwatch. Thanks to his playoff heroics, Young is in the mix. Good luck, Cam. Your journey is
