2025 U.S. Open: Oakmont Field Narrows with Exemptions, Final Qualifying

The 2025 U.S. Open field of 156 is officially more than halfway filled, but the drama is only intensifying.

On Monday, the United States Golf Association announced the rest of the fully exempt players for its annual summer showcase, scheduled for June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club.

That fleshed-out group was finalized after the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) updated following the conclusion of the PGA Championship. The top 60 in the OWGR as of now are automatically qualified for the U.S. Open, a process that added 27 competitors to the field.

Among those who gained entry via the OWGR are past U.S. Open champions Lucas Glover (2009) and Justin Rose (2013), as well as previous major winners Jason Day (2015 PGA) and Patrick Reed (2018 Masters). Davis Riley was the biggest OWGR riser via the PGA Championship, as he tied for second behind winner Scottie Scheffler to jump from No. 100 in the ranking to No. 47.

Additionally, five players not previously exempt were added to the Open field via their placement in the PGA Tour’s season-long FedEx Cup standings, along with three players from the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai standings and current LIV Golf standings leader Joaquin Niemann.

(There are still a handful of exemptions yet to be awarded: The individual men’s NCAA champion later this month, plus any non-exempt players who jump into the OWGR’s top 60 by June 9.)

For those who didn’t gain entry in the aforementioned ways, there is the on-course qualifying process. Three of the 13 final 36-hole qualifiers took place Monday — in Texas, Japan and England.

The tour-pro-studded qualifier in Dallas advanced seven to Oakmont, headed by PGA Tour regulars James Hahn and Adam Schenk, plus LIV’s Carlos Ortiz. However, Sergio Garcia’s near-miss was likely the biggest headline from Bent Tree Country Club; the 45-year-old past Masters champion and LIV regular three-putted the final green to miss a playoff by one shot, so he will not play in the U.S. Open for the first time since 1999.

Also of note, Oakmont CC head professional Devin Gee shot 77-80 in his quest to make the Open at his place of employment. He finished last out of all players who completed 36 holes. Fan favorite Joel Dahmen mysteriously withdrew after posting a 66 in the first round that had him just two shots off the lead.

Three golfers advanced to the Open from Japan, including past LIV competitor Scott Vincent and current LIV foot soldier Jinichiro Kozuma. Former Ryder Cup competitor Edoardo Molinari is the most recognizable name of the eight who secured their spots in Walton Heath, England.

The remaining 10 final qualifiers will take place Monday, June 2. A source close to the matter tells PGN that former WVU standout Mark Goetz — who advanced from the Quicksilver local qualifier — and Pittsburgh’s Neal Shipley are expecting to compete in the Springfield, Ohio final qualifier.