PORTALBERITA.CO.ID - Golfer Zac Blair successfully navigated the notoriously challenging final qualifying stage, often dubbed "Golf's Longest Day," to earn his spot in the upcoming U.S. Open. This marks the second time in three years that Blair has secured his entry through this rigorous Monday qualifier process, as reported by Ksl.
The former BYU standout achieved this feat on Monday, June 9, 2026, by posting an impressive 8-under-par 132 total across 36 holes. The final qualifying event took place at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio.
This successful qualifier sets Blair up for his fourth career appearance in the U.S. Open, with the championship scheduled for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. His previous major debut occurred in 2014 when he finished tied for 40th.
Blair established a strong foundation early in the day, leading the field after the first 18 holes with a stellar 6-under 64. He maintained this momentum in his second round, carding a 2-under 68 after stringing together consecutive birdies on the front nine.
He ultimately finished in a tie for the top position alongside Neal Shipley, a professional from Pittsburgh, solidifying their qualification status. The leading pair finished one stroke ahead of a competitive chase pack that included PGA Tour professionals Dylan Wu, Billy Horschel, and Nick Hardy, who all settled at 7-under 133.
Meanwhile, fellow Utah native Tony Finau narrowly missed qualification at the same Ohio venue, despite a promising start. Finau opened with a 65 and maintained contention through the early stages of his second round.
However, Finau struggled mid-round, incurring bogeys on the second and fourth holes, and another on the eighth, resulting in an even-par 70 for his final 18 holes. This performance left him tied for 10th, two strokes shy of the necessary cutoff.
In Toronto, Ontario, Patrick Fishburn also came up short in his bid during the qualifier at Lambton Golf and Country Club. Fishburn recorded rounds of 66 and 68 for a 6-under 134 total, leading to an eight-man playoff for one of the three available spots.
Fishburn's hopes ended quickly in the sudden-death playoff when he suffered a three-putt on the opening hole. As reported by Ksl, earlier struggles, including a double bogey on the ninth hole of his second round, had forced him into the extra holes.
