Cameron Young's Stunning Comeback Secures U.S. Open Spot in Thrilling Playoff Finish
When the odds were stacked against him and nothing seemed to be going right, Cameron Young turned up the pressure and delivered a jaw-dropping performance that sent shockwaves through the golf world.
On what looked like a lost day, Young birdied three of his final four holes, clawed his way into a five-man playoff, and then buried a 12-foot birdie putt to earn a coveted spot in the 2024 U.S. Open at Oakmont, taking place June 12–15.
From Frustration to Fireworks: Young’s Gutsy Run
The day began with frustration. Young, battling through a rough season that forced him into the grueling 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier, was staring at another missed opportunity. But instead of folding, he flipped the switch.
He launched a 9-iron to 8 feet on the 15th for birdie, followed it up with a clean birdie on the par-5 16th, and then stuck a wedge shot to just 18 inches on his final hole. That dazzling finish landed him in a 5-for-1 sudden-death playoff.
“I feel like I proved something to myself today,” Young said afterward. “All day I couldn’t buy a putt—until everything started falling when it mattered most.”
The playoff began on the 10th hole, where Young, clearly running on pure adrenaline, drove it into the left rough, then finessed a wedge perfectly to 12 feet—right under the cup—and sank the birdie to clinch his spot at Oakmont.
“I started my day here 12 hours ago and made a 3,” he said. “So I thought—why not do it again?”
The Road to Oakmont: Drama from Coast to Coast
The U.S. Open qualifiers delivered nonstop action across 10 qualifying sites, including Canada, as 47 spots were on the line for golf’s toughest and most prestigious championship.
At Kinsale, Erik van Rooyen blazed out of the gates with an impressive 64, finishing six shots clear of the field. He comfortably secured his spot alongside Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, and longshot Harrison Ott, who’s ranked No. 2,651 in the world.
Wildcards, Comebacks & Rising Stars
Bud Cauley, currently No. 56 in the world, is projected to crack the top 60 following the Canadian Open, which would earn him a direct U.S. Open spot. If that happens, Chase Johnson, who won a nail-biting playoff for one of the two alternate spots with Eric Cole, could get a last-minute call-up.
Over in Springfield, Ohio, Zac Blair battled through a four-man playoff to snag the final qualifying spot, edging out John Peterson, the once-retired PGA Tour player now back as an amateur.
In California, Arizona State’s Preston Summerhays dominated, leading three of the four qualifiers. The final spot came down to a playoff between Joey Herrera and Lucas Carper, scheduled for Tuesday.
The Florida qualifier was temporarily halted due to rain delays, with final positions yet to be confirmed.
17-Year-Old Sensation and a Wave of Amateurs Make History in Atlanta
In Atlanta, amateurs stole the spotlight, grabbing three of the five available spots. Mason Howell, a 17-year-old high school junior, wowed everyone with a bogey-free 18-under 126, proving age is just a number.
Joining him were Auburn’s Jackson Koivun, who’s already locked in a PGA Tour card, and Tyler Weaver, a rising sophomore from Florida State. The future of golf is looking electric.
International Action: Canada and North Carolina Bring the Heat
Both Toronto and North Carolina awarded seven qualifiers each. In Canada, Kevin Velo led a stacked field that included Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark and Emiliano Grillo of Argentina.
Luke Clanton, previously ranked No. 1 amateur in the world, gave up his amateur exemption to make his pro debut at the Canadian Open—only to fall short in qualifying.
In North Carolina, Zach Bauchou topped the leaderboard. Fun side note—two years ago, Bauchou had Viktor Hovland, his college roommate and recent Memorial winner, on the bag as his caddie.
LIV Golfers Fight for a Shot at Redemption
Over in Maryland, where four spots were up for grabs, LIV Golf players were making moves. Marc Leishman, who hasn’t played in a major since jumping to LIV, edged out Sebastián Muñoz for a coveted spot.
Out of 15 LIV players entered, five didn’t turn in their cards after falling out of contention—a common practice—while another five withdrew before play began, including familiar names like Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood.
From Caddie to Competitor: Matt Vogt’s Full-Circle Moment
One of the most heartwarming stories came out of Walla Walla, Washington, where Matt Vogt, a former caddie at Oakmont and now a practicing dentist in Indiana, won one of the two qualifying spots. It’s a storybook return to a course where his golf dreams once began.
Final Word: A Field Full of Grit, Surprises, and Raw Talent
From seasoned pros like Cameron Young to teenage sensations like Mason Howell, and even comeback stories like Matt Vogt, the U.S. Open qualifiers served up everything fans love—clutch moments, fierce battles, and unforgettable stories.
As we count down to Oakmont, one thing’s clear: this year’s U.S. Open is going to be electric.
Description:
"Cameron Young clinches a thrilling last-minute spot in the 2024 U.S. Open at Oakmont with a clutch playoff birdie. Get the full breakdown of qualifiers, shocking eliminations, rising amateurs, and LIV Golf surprises from coast-to-coast action across 10 sites."