by Garrett Johnston, for AmateurGolf.com
Jackson Suber earned medalist honors at the Woodmont Country Club Final Qualifier, posting a 10-under-par total over 36 holes on the club's North Course to secure his place in the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills.
The 26-year-old will make his second U.S. Open appearance after debuting at Pinehurst in 2024. Suber's first major championship experience included a memorable pairing with 2015 U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama after Jon Rahm withdrew before the opening round.
"It's going to be pretty cool," Suber said after qualifying. "I'm looking forward to playing a golf course like Shinnecock."
Suber praised Woodmont's championship-caliber setup after navigating the demanding conditions.
"The greens are so firm and the fairways are so tough. It feels like this is just a normal day here," he said. "I'm sure they could push it even more if they wanted to, but it's incredible. It could definitely host a PGA Tour event or a U.S. Amateur."
Kohles Adds U.S. Open Berth to Emotional Week
One of the most compelling stories in golf this week belongs to Ben Kohles.
Less than 24 hours after winning the Korn Ferry Tour's BMW Charity Pro-Am, Kohles secured his spot in the U.S. Open by carding rounds of 65 and 70 for a 7-under-par total. The victory in South Carolina became even more meaningful when his wife, Lindsey, and their children surprised him after driving seven hours to Greenville to celebrate his win.
After qualifying at Woodmont, Kohles shared an emotional phone call with his family while standing on the 18th green.
"She was a little emotional on the phone, as was I," Kohles said. "She's going to be coming up to Shinnecock, and might be bringing the kids. We'll figure it out, but we'll see."
The 15-year professional admitted the whirlwind stretch was beginning to catch up with him.
"I'm just tired. My back's a little sore, but this is great," Kohles said. "I'm proud of the way I hung in there. I played a great first round to really set myself up to qualify."
Amateur Reilly Advances to First U.S. Open
Amateur Logan Reilly earned his first U.S. Open start after tying Kohles for second place at 7-under par.
The Lovettsville, Virginia, native grew up about 30 miles from Woodmont and received congratulations from friend Michael Brennan shortly after securing his place in the field. Brennan advanced through this same qualifier in 2023 before competing in the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, where he played a practice round with one of his idols, Rickie Fowler.
Reilly said Brennan wasted little time making plans for next week.
"He called me right after, and he said we need to play a practice round next week at Shinnecock," Reilly said.
Reilly is eager to experience one of the game's most iconic venues.
"I've heard the course is unreal," he said. "My dad's actually from Long Island, so I've been around there a lot. To see all the fans that are going to be out there is going to be insane."
Sollon Survives Playoff for Final Spot
Jake Sollon claimed the fourth and final qualifying position by defeating amateur Bryan Lee in a playoff.
The 28-year-old will be making his first U.S. Open appearance and immediately began adjusting his schedule to prepare for golf's national championship.
"I was supposed to play in Columbia this week, but we're going to go ahead and cancel that one," Sollon said. "We're going to go to Shinnecock early and get some prep done."
Sollon, who primarily competes on developmental professional tours, is also looking forward to sharing a stage with the game's biggest names.
"You've got to look forward to seeing Scottie Scheffler. He's No. 1 in the world," Sollon said. "I like Cam Young as well, and I'll be excited to see them and share the same locker room."
MID-DAY UPDATE
Golf’s Longest Day is going on all over the U.S., today as players try to punch their ticket for next week’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills through Final Qualifying.
At Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland , three amateurs got to 3-under par and four back of first round leaders Jackson Suber and Ben Kohles as they pursue one of the four spots available for 77 players at this site.
Those three amateurs were Bryan Kim, Bryan Lee, and Logan Reilly. Lee made it through at this site last year for his first U.S. Open in 2025 and said after his first eighteen today that “there’s no secret” to getting through Final Qualifying and adds “I wish I knew if there was.”
In the Fairfax, Virginia resident’s mind, it’s all about avoiding the big numbers more than anything else.
“It just comes down to consistent, decent play,” Lee said. “What I kind of focus on is trying to make a bunch of easy pars and try not to stress myself out too much. Eventually if one or two of
those drop then it ends up being a good round.”
There will be plenty of stress for the competitors to deal with before this day is all said and done. Stay tuned.
EDITOR'S NOTE
Garrett Johnston is one of four reporters on-site at various U.S. Open final qualifiers around the country. Find their reports on our site and Instagram.