There will be a new technique to qualify for the US Open in the near future.
Beginning with the 2023 U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, the player having the most total Korn Ferry Tour points between the developmental tour’s regular season and three-event finals will be exempt into the following year’s U.S. Open.
“The USGA is pleased to grant an exemption to a tour that has been well-represented in the US Open for more than three decades and has generated an exceptional group of professionals,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA’s chief championships officer.
The USGA created a temporary exemption category two years ago, inviting the top KFT point leaders to compete in the rescheduled tournament at Winged Foot in 2020. Several KFT members typically qualify for the US Open through local and/or sectional qualifying, as was the case last year when Cameron Young, Taylor Montgomery, and Dylan Wu were among the KFT players who qualified.
“We appreciate the USGA recognizing recent Korn Ferry Tour alumni’s outstanding results in major championships and PGA Tour events, and we look forward to seeing our members compete for this incredible opportunity each year,” said Alex Baldwin, president of the Korn Ferry Tour. “Thank you to the USGA for taking this significant step on behalf of the Korn Ferry Tour and all of our members.”
The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic kicks off the KFT season, which includes 26 events, on Sunday.
“The exemption will make a major difference because people will be even more competitive and motivated as they strive for the No. 1 place,” said Braden Thornberry, a current KFT member who was a member of the 2017 U.S. Walker Cup squad that won at LACC. “It would be fantastic to see all of my [Walker Cup] teammates at LACC again, and for all of us to compete in a U.S. Open.”
