Four Stanford men's golfers and alums qualified for the 2022 U.S. Open on Monday. Current Cardinal Michael Thorbjornsen qualified out of Purchase, N.Y., while alums Joseph Bramlett (Rockville, Md.), Patrick Rodgers (Columbus, Ohio) and Isaiah Salinda (Bend, Ore.) also qualified.
"Playing in a major championship as an amateur or professional is a huge accomplishment," Knowles Family Director of Men's Golf Conrad Ray said on Monday night. "It is special to see our current and former Cardinal having a chance to tee it up at such a historic place like Brookline. The entire Cardinal golf family will be rooting hard for everyone involved!!"
The 2022 U.S. Open will be played at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass. outside of Boston from June 16-19, about 10 miles from Thorbjornsen's hometown of Wellesley.
Bramlett won his qualifier at Woodmont Country Club's North Course, finishing at 8-under to claim one of four spots. Bramlett fired a first-round 66 and a second-round 70 to win by two strokes and advance by six strokes. He will be making his third career appearance in the U.S. Open (also 2010 and 2019).
"Playing a major championship is something you can never take for granted," Bramlett said after the round Monday. "It's been three years for me since I've been in one and I'm itching and very excited to get back. To have another opportunity at (a major championship) is very exciting."
Salinda tied for first at his qualifier at Pronghorn Resort to punch his ticket to the first U.S. Open of his career. He fired two rounds of 68 to finish at 8-under and claim one of just three spots in the 65-player field.
Thorbjornsen's qualifier at Century Country Club and Old Oaks Country Club came with drama, as he finished in an eight-way tie for third at 2-under. With just five spots available for the 92 golfers, Thorbjornsen was in an eight-way tie for the final three spots. A birdie on the second playoff hole was enough for the rising junior to punch his ticket to his second U.S. Open (also played in 2019).
"I can't really put into words how I'm feeling right now," Thorbjornsen told Mass Golf afterwards. "I've been waiting for this U.S. Open for many years – probably 10 years since it got announced – and this is probably the most excited I've been for any tournament. It's all I've been thinking about for this summer and I'm just really excited that I got to this point and can play in it in a week and a half."
Rodgers finished tied for ninth at his qualifier at Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club and Wedgewood Golf & Country Club at 6-under to claim one of 13 spots. Rodgers fired a 2-under 70 at Kinsale on Monday morning before a 4-under 67 on Wedgewood in the afternoon. He will be making his fourth career appearance in the U.S. Open (also 2016, 2018 and 2021).
In total, 8,880 golfers began at local qualifiers and 871 competed at final qualifying to vie for 65 spots across 11 different sites.