SMU junior Bryson DeChambeau and recent Tulsa graduate Mike Mabrey qualified for the 2015 U.S. Open Championship this week.
Dechambeau tied for third at the sectional qualifier in Columbus, Ohio, on Monday, June 8. DeChambeau carded an 11-under par 133 over 36 holes to land a spot in the field.
The 115th edition of the U.S. Open is taking place at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, June 18-21. A total of 15 players qualified from the Columbus sectional, helping comprise the 156-player U.S. Open.
DeChambeau shot a 6-under 66 over the first 18 holes, closing his round with three straight birdies. He then quickly took the lead of the event early in round 2, opening with four consecutive birdies and five over his first six holes. DeChambeau led by as many as three shots on the field before finishing the back nine at even par, totaling a 5-under 67.
DeChambeau was the only amateur to qualify from the Columbus sectional. A selection of the nation's best collegiate golfers were in the field, including national player of the year Maverick McNealy of Stanford and Hunter Stewart of Vanderbilt. PGA Tour members Camilo Villegas, Bo Van Pelt and Alex Cejka were among those who also qualified out of Columbus, while many notable professional golfers did not make the cut, including Nick Watney, Rory Sabbatini, Steve Stricker, Vijay Singh and Mike Weir.
DeChambeau is continuing to have a busy two weeks. The Clovis, California, native won the NCAA Individual Championship on June 1, and will play his first PGA Tour event at the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in Memphis beginning Thursday, June 11.
Mabrey, who completed his senior season in May, qualified for the U.S. Open at the Chambers Bay Golf Club in Puget Sound, Washington.
Mabrey, from Little Rock, Arkansas, was one six golfers qualifying from the Dallas Sectional that took place Monday at the Northwood Golf Club. He shot rounds of 67-67 for a six-under par 134.
As a collegian, Mabrey played in 46 career tournaments and had 24 top-20 finishes. Mabrey completed his senior season with eight top-20 performances and earned all-conference accolades in the American Athletic Conference.
Mabrey had two career collegiate victories as he won the 2014 Conference USA Championship his junior season and claimed medalist honors at the UALR First Tee Collegiate Classic as a senior.
USGA - Road to the U.S. Open
Each year, thousands of competitors set their sights on the U.S. Open and apply to play in the championship. They are professionals and amateurs, teenagers to seniors, coming from all walks of life and representing more than 75 countries. This year, their dream is to tee it up at Chambers Bay, in University Place, Wash., and be a part of the first U.S. Open to be played in the Pacific Northwest.
The process of determining the final field of 156 players is a major undertaking. It starts with roughly 10,000 entrants and proceeds through two stages of qualifying, local and sectional. While there are exemptions from qualifying for players who have earned that privilege, the vast majority of U.S. Open hopefuls must start their journey at the local qualifying stage.
Players who survive qualifying will compete alongside the biggest names in golf on one of the game's grandest stages. The U.S. Open remains a championship that is truly open to anyone with the desire and the ability to play at the highest level.