Qualifier Links: Qualifier Results
Kinder, LA – It was a beautiful day for competitive golf at Koasati Pines Golf Club in Kinder, Louisiana, where a strong field gathered for the 2026 U.S. Open Local Qualifier.
Benton’s Noah McWilliams fired an impressive nine-under par 63 to earn medalist honors by three shots. McWilliams recorded four birdies on the front nine, added another on hole No. 10, and made his lone bogey of the day on hole No. 11. He responded with three more birdies on holes No. 14, 16, and 17 before closing with an eagle on the 18th hole.
Finishing tied for second at six-under par 66 were Matthew Dodd-Berry of England and Andrew Loupe of Baton Rouge.
A three-way playoff for the final qualifying spot took place between Jacob Bergeron of Slidell, Louisiana, Jay Mendell of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Clay Pendergrass of Richmond, Kentucky, after all three players finished at five-under par 67.
The playoff began on hole No. 9, where Bergeron and Mendell both made par while Pendergrass made bogey, eliminating him from contention and making him the second alternate.
The playoff between Bergeron and Mendell continued to the par-5 10th hole. Mendell’s second shot was on the fringe just short and right of the green. Bergeron’s approach shot was in the green side bunker hole high to the left of the green. Both players got up and down for birdie to extend the playoff.
On hole No. 11, a par 4, Mendell’s tee shot found the penalty area, leading to a bogey. Bergeron found the fairway, hit the green, and converted an eight-foot birdie putt to secure the final qualifying spot. Mendell earned first alternate honors.
Jacob Bergeron on advancing through qualifying:
“I’m excited to get back to sectional qualifying. I made it through in 2018 when the championship was at Shinnecock. The way my game is trending right now, if I can tee it up in another major championship at a course that I have already played, I feel really good about it.”
All four qualifiers now advance to Final Qualifying, commonly known as “Golf’s Longest Day,” where they will compete for a spot in the 126th U.S. Open Championship, set for June 18–21, 2026, at historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. For more details on the U.S. Open and its qualifying process, visit USGA.org.
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