Road to the U.S. Open: Lake Merced

Host Course

Lake Merced Golf Club was designed by Willie Lock and had multiple subsequent famous course designers who helped shape the course into what it is today. In 1929, Alister Mackenzie helped improve the bunkering. In 1996, Reese Jones designed large scale-changes, and in 2021, Gil Hanse rebuilt all 18 greens along with many other changes. Lake Merced measures at just over 6900 yards and is a Par 72. 

Players in the field: 84

Spots Available: 6-8

Most recognizable players in the field

Matt Jones- The two-time PGA Tour winner and now LIV member, looks to play in his first U.S. Open since 2021 when he finished T65. The T65 is his only made cut in six U.S. Open starts.  Jones has struggled since he went to LIV with just two top-10 finishes in his three seasons. 

David Puig- In the last nine months, the Spaniard has two victories and a runner-up finish on the Asian Tour. Although he has played great on the Asian Tour, he has struggled on LIV with just two 15th place finishes this season. There is no denying the 22-year-olds talent however, and it would be no surprise to see him get through here. 

Preston Summerhays- The Arizona State star will look to play in his second straight U.S. Open after qualifying last year. At LACC last year, he shot a pair of 73’s to miss the cut. In 2023, he played in four PGA Tour events, making the cut and finishing T56 at the Fortinet Championship. Summerhays is currently ranked 9th in World Amateur Golf Rankings. His ASU teammate Wenyi Ding is also in the field and ranked 6th in the WAGR. 

Other PGA Tour winners in the field

None

Storylines

Bombs Away- Josh Greenville-Wood absolutely nukes it with recorded drives well over 370 yards in European Tour and Challenge Tour events. If he qualifies, he will become the first player from the United Arab Emirates to qualify for the U.S. Open

Mini-tour favorites- Patrick Flavin, Grant Booth, Brad Marek, and others look to punch their ticket for Pinehurst. Flavin has played solidly on the Americas Tour and Booth won the Arizona Open last year. Marek qualified for the PGA Championship this year. 

Barclay Brown- Brown has impressed in 36-hole qualifiers. Over in the U.K (where he is from) in 2023, he got through the two-round qualifying to earn a spot in the Open Championship. He also earned a spot in the U.S. Open in 2023. He will look to play in his third career Major at Pinehurst. 

‍Full Field Here

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