“It’s cool,” Buchanan said. “When you look at the qualifier and realize it’s the best amateurs in the world, you know it is a loaded field. Amateur golf has skyrocketed, and the top amateurs are good enough to play with the pros.”

Buchanan added, “You know you have to bring it.”

There were three qualifying spots for 68 golfers, and if you did not shoot 12-under, you did not earn a spot at Pinehurst. 

However, that didn’t affect the way Buchanan approached his two rounds.

“It’s about staying in the present and hitting the shot you have at hand,” he said. 

Last year, in his first attempt at final qualifying, Buchanan made a bogey on the 36th hole to miss out on a U.S. Open spot by one shot. 

“Coming down the stretch, I remembered last year, and experience is everything,” Buchanan said.  “It definitely helped me.” 

Also, collegiate golfers have a distinct advantage since they often play 36 hole days throughout the season.

“36-hole days are so common for us that it is almost weird if we play 18 holes in a day,” Buchanan said. 

“It was long, but nothing I am not used to, and playing college golf is 100 percent an advantage,” Buchanan added. 

Buchanan also knows what success looks like at Pinehurst, after playing in the North & South Amateur last year and shooting a 70 on No. 2. The best score of the day was a 69 from 2023 U.S. Amateur champion and now pro golfer Nick Dunlap.

“If that doesn’t tell you how hard Pinehurst is, I don’t know what does,” Buchanan said with a laugh. 

“You have to putt a lot around the greens like Kaymer did in 2014,” Buchanan added, “ I am excited and love to compete, and when you get to compete against the best in the world, it makes it even more fun.”