🏌️♂️ These amateurs didn’t just qualify for the U.S. Open — they made history.
From local qualifying to final-round drama, this episode tells the stories of the underdogs who stunned the golf world.
🎙️ Hosted by AmateurGolf.com, we highlight legendary performances like:
Ken Venturi (1964) – Overcame heatstroke to win the U.S. Open after qualifying locally
Orville Moody (1969) – “The Sarge” who marched from Army life to champion at Champions GC
Spencer Levin (2004) – Low amateur at Shinnecock just days after his 20th birthday
Jason Gore (2005) – Final group on Sunday after qualifying at a local muni
Jason Dufner (2006) – First made cut at Winged Foot → future PGA Champion
Russell Henley & Scott Langley (2010) – Both T-16 at Pebble as low amateurs
Beau Hossler (2012) – 17 years old. Leading the U.S. Open. Enough said.
John Peterson (2012) – A hole-in-one on the 13th, a T-4 finish, and a star born
⛳ These stories prove the U.S. Open is more than a major — it’s an open door.
Anyone with game and heart can write their name into golf history.
👇 Subscribe for more golf stories, U.S. Open coverage, and amateur insight
🌐 More amateur news and leaderboards: https://www.amateurgolf.com
welcome to the amateurgolf.com podcast i’m Brian from amateurgolf.com and today we’re talking about one of the most inspiring journeys in all of golf going from local qualifying all the way to glory at the US Open some dream it few survive it and a rare handful make history doing it let’s tee it up part one the champions who came through local let’s rewind to 1964 ken Venturi fighting heatstroke and exhaustion he walked 36 holes on the final day at Congressional Country Club he shot a third round 66 then gutted out the win by four strokes and here’s the kicker he came from local qualifying the first ever to do it a true legend then there’s Orville Moody in 1969 moody of an Army Sergeant turned pro worked his way through both stages of qualifying and posted a final round 72 to win by one at Champions Golf Club in Houston he’s still the most recent US Open winner to come from local [Music] qualifying part two the amateurs who captured hearts let’s talk amateurs in 2004 Spencer Levven just days after turning 20 finished tied for 13th at Shinikok Hills he earned low am honors and his name was suddenly everywhere jason Gore 2005 qualified locally and made it all the way into the final Sunday group at Pinehurst number two though he shot 84 in the final round the buzz he created led to a PGA Tour breakthrough then in 2006 Jason Duner he made it through both stages and finished tied for 40th at Winged Foot it was his first major maid cut 7 years later he was a PGA [Music] champion part three the 2010 to 2012 college phenom years at Pebble Beach in 2010 two young college players made serious waves scott Langley from Illinois Russell Henley from Georgia both came through local qualifying both finished tied for 16th and both earned low amateur honors together in 2012 the Olympic club gave us two unforgettable stories bo Hustler only 17 briefly led the championship during round two he finished tied for 29th and captured national attention and then John Peterson he aced the 13th hole in round three he finished tied for fourth after also starting in local qualifying pure [Music] magic part four why local qualifying still matters these aren’t just performances they’re testaments to what’s possible the US Open isn’t just a name it’s an open door for anyone with game and guts local qualifying is not just a formality it’s where legends are born whether you’re a teenager a college champ or a midam chasing a dream these stories remind us you can make it thanks for joining us on this episode of the amateurgolf.com podcast if you enjoyed today’s show share it with someone chasing their golf dreams for leaderboards amateur coverage and live US Open updates visit us at amateurgolf.com until next time keep grinding keep dreaming and never underestimate what a tea time at local qualifying can lead to [Music]