Qualifier Links: Qualifier Results | Photo Gallery
Kinder, LA – It was a beautiful day for competitive golf at Koasati Pines at Coushatta, where a strong field gathered today for the 2025 U.S. Open Local Qualifier. Five players earned spots in Final Qualifying, with one of them needing three extra holes — and a bit of nerve — to get there.
West Point’s Cohen Trolio stole the show with a sizzling 7-under-par 65, rolling in birdies early and often to take medalist honors by three shots. Jamison Thomassee of Opelousas was next in line with a steady 68, and both Jay Mendell of Lafayette and Charlie Flynn of Alexandria posted 3-under 69s to comfortably advance.
That left four players tied at 2-under 70, setting up a four-man playoff to decide one final qualifying spot and two alternate positions. Jackson Cook (West Point), James Swash, Charlie Flowers (Columbus), and Kyle Bennett (Zachary) headed to the par-5 18th to start the playoff.
After the first hole, Flowers and Bennett made pars and were eliminated from contention. Rather than continue on to play for second alternate, the two opted for an unconventional—but friendly—game of rock-paper-scissors, with Bennett claiming the spot.
Cook and Swash continued, playing the 18th again and matching pars. They then moved to hole 1, another par-5, where Swash narrowly missed a birdie putt that would’ve secured his place. Cook capitalized, sinking his birdie to punch his ticket to the next stage.
Cohen Trolio (West Point) – 65 (-7)
Jamison Thomassee (Opelousas) – 68 (-4)
Jay Mendell (Lafayette) – 69 (-3)
Charlie Flynn (Alexandria) – 69 (-3)
Jackson Cook (West Point) – 70 (-2, won playoff)
1st – James Swash – 70 (-2, lost playoff)
2nd – Kyle Bennett (Zachary) – 70 (-2, won rock-paper-scissors)
All five qualifiers now move on to Final Qualifying, commonly known as “Golf’s Longest Day,” where they’ll compete for a spot in the 125th U.S. Open Championship, set for June 12–15, 2025, at historic Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. This milestone edition of the national championship promises to deliver classic U.S. Open drama on one of the most iconic courses in the world.
For more details on the U.S. Open and its qualifying process, visit usga.org.
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing and Communications
maili@lgagolf.org