**Van Rooyen's Stellar Performance Highlights U.S. Open Qualifiers**

Erik van Rooyen set the pace at Kinsale with a remarkable 64, comfortably securing his spot at Oakmont for the U.S. Open. He dominated the field, finishing six shots ahead. Key qualifiers also included Bud Cauley, Lanto Griffin, Justin Lower, and Harrison Ott, who holds the No. 2,651 spot in the world rankings. Cauley, ranked No. 56 globally, is expected to remain in the top 60 after the Canadian Open, potentially allowing Chase Johnson to make his U.S. Open debut. Johnson triumphed in a playoff for alternate spots against Eric Cole.

Zac Blair claimed the last available spot in the other Ohio qualifier in Springfield after a tense 4-for-1 playoff, outlasting John Peterson. Peterson, a former PGA Tour player now reinstated as an amateur, narrowly missed advancing. The Florida qualifier faced rain delays, preventing its completion. In California, Arizona State's Preston Summerhays led three qualifiers, with a playoff for the final position set between Joey Herrera and Lucas Carper.

Atlanta's qualifier saw three of its five spots go to amateurs, led by 17-year-old Mason Howell, who delivered a flawless, bogey-free performance for an 18-under 126. Joining him were Jackson Koivun of Auburn, who has already secured a PGA Tour card, and Florida State's Tyler Weaver.

Toronto and North Carolina qualifiers each offered seven spots, coinciding with the PGA Tour's stop in Canada and the Korn Ferry Tour's Carolinas swing. Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo were among those advancing in Canada, led by Kevin Velo. In North Carolina, Zach Bauchou topped the field among the seven qualifiers, having previously competed in Ohio with former college roommate Viktor Hovland on his bag.

Meanwhile, Matt Vogt expressed excitement about returning to Oakmont, this time as a player. Vogt, previously a caddie at Oakmont and now a dentist in Indiana, qualified in Walla Walla, Washington.

Several LIV Golf players aimed for four available spots in Maryland. Marc Leishman, who has struggled to qualify for majors since joining LIV, secured one of these coveted spots, edging out fellow LIV golfer Sebastian Munoz. Initially, fifteen LIV players entered the Maryland qualifier, but five withdrew before it started, including notable names like Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood, while another five left without completing their rounds.