Vaughn Harber gets hot late to qualify for U.S. Open

Standing on the No. 14 tee at Lakes Golf and Country Club in Westerville, Ohio, Ohio State standout Vaughn Harber was just 4-under par and four shots off the probable cutline to make a playoff at U.S. Open Final Qualifying.

Harber proceeded to play the last five holes at 5-under par, carding three birdies and an eagle, to earn a chance in the 4-for-3 spots playoff and ultimately, punch his ticket to the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills from June 18 to June 21.

Dubbed as “Golf’s Longest Day”, Harber shot a 5-under 67 and 4-under 68 to finish the grueling 36 hole day at 9-under and tied for second place with four other golfers. PGA Tour winner Davis Thompson finished at 11-under to earn medalist honors.

This will be Harber’s first major championship start.

Ohio State graduate Neal Shipley also earned a spot in the U.S. Open field, finishing as the co-medalist with PGA Tour veteran Zac Blair at 8-under at Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio.

Another recent Ohio State graduate, Maxwell Moldovan, shot a 6-under 64 in the morning round before shooting even-par 70 in the afternoon at Springfield Country Club, missing the playoff cut by one stroke. Moldovan has had success at this course in the past and had qualified for the U.S. Open through Springfield in four consecutive years.

Moldovan missed a birdie putt on No. 18 by just inches after making a bogey on No. 17 to fall out of a tie for the playoff.

This year’s U.S. Open will be played at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, from June 18-21. The tournament will be televised by NBC, USA Network and Peacock.