USGA cancels both local and sectional qualifying for 2020 United States Open

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Updated: June 2, 2020

The USGA is canceling local and sectional qualifying for the 2020 U.S. Open.

The governing body confirmed the decision in wake of the coronavirus pandemic and is also canceling four of its championship events. 

Open qualifying is part of the bedrock of the USGA events. Roughly 70 players earned entry into last year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach through this route. The organization even built its new marketing campaign around the slogan “From Many, One.” The original schedule called for 108 local qualifying and 12 sectional qualifying tournaments. Some of the past U.S. Open champs who began in qualifiers include Steve Jones in 1996, Michael Campbell in 2005 and Lucas Glover in 2009.

In lieu of the traditional spots conferred in sectional qualifying, the USGA instead will create exemption categories. Among these categories will be an amateur section. These exemptions are currently being finalized, per the USGA.

The U.S. Open will also significantly minimize the amount of people on site at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y. How many fans, if any, will be allowed to attend is still to be determined.

Additionally, the USGA has canceled the U.S. Mid-Amateur and U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and both its senior amateur championships.

Aside from the U.S. Open, the U.S. Women’s Open will still be played in December. The U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur are keeping their original August dates.

The 2020 U.S. Open is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17 at Winged Foot in New York. Gary Woodland is the defending champion.