“The U.S. Senior Open is considered the world’s premier championship for men’s senior golfers,” said USGA Vice President and Championship Committee Chairman Thomas J. O’Toole Jr. “The Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy is coveted by the players and that is evidenced by the number of entries. We look forward to identifying the champion at Indianwood Golf & Country Club this July.”

The U.S. Senior Open will be held at Indianwood Golf and Country Club on July 12-15. The championship is open to professional golfers and amateurs with a USGA Handicap Index® not exceeding 3.4 who are 50 years of age at the start of championship play.

Sectional qualifying will be played over 18 holes at 34 sites in the United States, ranging from Massachusetts to Hawaii, and will take place between June 14-28. In addition, places in the 156-player field are reserved for winners of official PGA Champions Tour events in the weeks remaining before the start of the 2012 U.S. Senior Open.

The USGA received entries for the 33rd U.S. Senior Open from golfers in 49 states and the District of Columbia. A total of 80 applicants listed foreign addresses.

Olin Browne, the 2011 champion, and 10 other past champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship. They are: Brad Bryant (2007), Allen Doyle (2005, 2006), Dave Eichelberger (1999), Bruce Fleisher (2001), Fred Funk (2009), Hale Irwin (1998, 2000), Peter Jacobsen (2004), Bernhard Langer (2010), Graham Marsh (1997) and Eduardo Romero (2008).

For the second consecutive year, only online entries were accepted. David Horstman, a 52-year-old professional from Adrian, Mich., submitted his entry just 19 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on May 23. Scott Wirth, a 49-year-old amateur (who will turn 50 on June 12) from Grand Blanc, Mich., was the first entrant on March 5.