2025 US Open qualifiers: These are the biggest names fighting for a spot in golf’s third major

There’s no shortcut to the U.S. Open. Just ask Charlie Woods, who once again teed it up in local qualifying – and once again fell short.

Woods, 16, posted a 3-over 75 at Wellington National in Florida. It wasn’t enough. The cut line sat seven strokes ahead of him, a cold and clinical 68. But in a sign of progress, this was an improvement from last year’s 81 at Port St. Lucie. The son of Tiger is trending in the right direction, even if he’s not quite ready to walk through the gates at Oakmont this June.

The 2025 U.S. Open, scheduled for June 12–15 at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, will be the 125th playing of the event and the record 10th at the iconic venue. But before players can dream of Oakmont’s church pew bunkers, they need to survive one of the toughest gauntlets in professional golf: a two-stage qualifying process that begins at 110 sites across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and ends with 36-hole final qualifiers from May 19 to June 2.

Who’s advancing to the 2025 US Open?

Arth Sinha topped the Wellington leaderboard with a superb 6-under 66, edging Matthew Marigliano by a stroke. Tyler Stachkunas, Carson Klawonn, and Michael Gligic also earned spots in the final stage, which takes place at Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach.

And they’re not alone. More than 2,000 hopefuls competed at 23 local sites on May 12, the most crowded date on the schedule. From seasoned pros to sports celebs and junior stars, the list is as long as it is eclectic.

Celebrity athletes chase US Open dream

Tony Romo, 45, is giving it another go, this time in Heath, Texas. The former Cowboys quarterback and CBS analyst has a strong amateur resume – and made it to final qualifying in 2010.

He’s joined in the draw by Mardy Fish, the former U.S. Open tennis quarterfinalist and a multiple winner at celebrity golf events, and NHL All-Star J.T. Miller, who’s entered at Quicksilver Golf Club just 34 miles from Oakmont.

Meanwhile, First Tee alumni and APGA Tour stars are making statements. Willie Mack III, Aaron Grimes, Kamaiu Johnson, Wyatt Worthington, and Christian Heavens are all trying to build on their previous runs, representing some of the most determined and underrepresented stories in golf.

Veterans and long shots go for 2025 US Open

Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, now 49, is still looking for his first U.S. Open start. He’s in at Hardeeville, South Carolina. So is 69-year-old Jon Chaffee, who played in six Opens and is trekking to Missoula, Montana, to try again.

There are those with unfinished business: Michael Miller, Mark Anguiano, and Brandon Harkins – all two-stage qualifiers in 2016 when the Open was also held at Oakmont – are back chasing the same path.

And then there are the kids. Luke Colton, 17, and Jessy Huebner, 16, both members of the U.S. National Junior Team, are carrying the future of American golf on their shoulders. Their resumes already include junior titles.

One more chance, in the 49th state

The final local qualifier, fittingly, will be held far from the game’s traditional hubs – on May 19 in Alaska. Fifteen players will compete at Palmer Golf Course for a single spot. Among them is Peter Barrow, 35, a golf pro from California and First Tee mentor, showing just how geographically – and personally - wide this tournament’s reach has become.

Every year, the U.S. Open delivers on its promise: anyone with a 0.4 handicap or better can try to qualify. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Just ask Charlie.

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