by Matthew Fehr, for AmateurGolf.com
NOTEBOOK: Del Paso Country Club, Sacramento, California.
Taylor Montgomery
Montgomery, by far the most experienced player in the field, qualified for his 2nd US Open today by shooting rounds of 69-66 (-7) to take the medalist honor. Taylor caught fire with birdies on 9,10 and 11 to cement a spot at Shinnecock. After being ranked as high as 51 in the world, Montgomery has battled a lingering shoulder injury that has caused him to miss parts of the 2024/2025 season. This year, Montgomery has bounced between the Korn Ferry and PGA Tour where he has 3 Top 10’s.
“That’s the best I’ve hit the ball in a long time.” Montgomery said. “I didn’t look at the scores at all today.”
Eric Lee
Few golfers in any capacity have had a better 365 days than the rising Oklahoma State senior. In June 2025, Lee broke out onto the scene as a sophmore clinching the winning point for the Cowboys in the NCAA match play semifinals against Ole Miss. Lee than defeated Josh Duangmanee to help lead the Cowboys to the national championship.
Later that summer, Lee made it to the US Amateur semifinals before falling to eventual champion Mason Howell. Eric kept up the hot streak this season by winning the NCAA Mariana regional stroke play and then helped lead the Cowboys to the NCAA match play semifinals before falling to Auburn. Today was more dominant golf by Lee who opened with a 2 under 69, caught fire with 4 birdies on the opening 9 of his 2nd round(teed off on 10) and rode that to a 2nd place (69-67) finish winning medalist honors. Lee will make his first US Open and PGA Tour appearance next week at Shinnecock.
“I told myself today to keep it simple,” Lee said following his round.
Matt Robles
The rising junior at Santa Clara University had birdies on both 8 and 9 (his 17th and 18th of the day) to post a second-round 66 and officially qualify for the US Open at –6. Upon sinking the Shinnecock clinching birdie on 9, Robles was bearhugged by teammate and caddie J.P. Odland.
“I blacked out as soon as I hit the putt.” Robles said. “I hadn’t been that nervous for something in a long time.”
Marek Fleming
One of the last players out on the course, Fleming weathered a very windy back 9 where he recorded one birdie and one bogey, enough for him to post rounds of 69-69 for a total score of –4 and take the last spot of the Del Paso Qualifier. After missing out on the US Amateur match play in a playoff, Fleming took any chance of a final qualifier playoff away when he parred the 9th hole (his 18th of the round) to secure a spot in Shinnecock. His dad, Matt, was on the bag for him today
“I would’ve loved to make match play at the AM, but that experience motivated me to be a little bit better every day,” Fleming said. “If it all culminated in this, then I’m happy with how it worked out.”