2026 U.S. Senior Open Qualifying Hub: Sites, Dates, Eligibility & How to Advance
February 19, 2026 | by Kyle Rector of AmateurGolf.com
see also: U.S. Senior Open, a USGA Championship, Scioto Country Club
The road to the 46th U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club runs through 32 local qualifiers and 12 final sites
Qualifying for the 46th U.S. Senior Open Championship follows a two-stage framework comparable to the U.S. Open: a first stage of 18-hole local qualifying, followed by 18-hole final qualifying. Successful players advance to the championship field at Scioto Country Club, a classic Donald Ross design where Jack Nicklaus grew up and learned the game under longtime teaching professional Jack Grout.
How Qualifying Works
The USGA has established 28 full exemption categories, including exemptions for recent U.S. Senior Open champions and multi-year exemptions for major senior champions. Local qualifying also includes a set of local exemptions (including, but not limited to, PGA Tour Champions winners from recent seasons, Charles Schwab Cup standings thresholds, select state senior champions, and age-eligible WAGR® positions as of key dates).
- 72 holes of stroke play (Thursday–Sunday)
- Cut to low 60 scores and ties after 36 holes
- Two-hole aggregate playoff if tied after 72 holes
Local Qualifying Sites (32)
Click any site below to visit the AmateurGolf.com tournament database page for that qualifier.
- MountainView — Arizona
- CommonGround — Colorado
- Lakewood National — Florida
- Cartersville — Georgia
- Kemper Lakes — Illinois
- Salem — Massachusetts
- Worthington Hills — Ohio
- Willamette Valley — Oregon
- Diamond Oaks — Texas
- Goose Creek — California
- Cold Spring — New York
- Painted Dunes — Texas
- Stonebridge — Utah
- The Homestead — Virginia
Final Qualifying Sites (12)
Final qualifying is also contested over 18 holes. Click any site below to visit its tournament database page.
Recent Championship Context
The reigning U.S. Senior Open champion is Padraig Harrington, who captured his second title last June at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, finishing 11-under and edging Stewart Cink by one shot and Miguel Ángel Jiménez by two.
What the Champion Receives
- Gold medal
- Custody of the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy for the ensuing year
- Exemption into the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links
- Exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Senior Opens
- Name engraved on the 2026 USGA Champions’ plaque in the USGA Museum (Liberty Corner, N.J.)
About the U.S. Senior Open
The U.S. Senior Open is one of 15 national championships conducted by the USGA. Open to amateurs and professionals who have reached their 50th birthday as of the first day of the championship.The Senior Open was first played in 1980 with a purse of, ...
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