(June 3, 2024) – 2019 Connecticut Junior Amateur champion Ben James fired rounds of 67-64 at 124th U.S. Open Final Qualifying to finish 11 under and earn a spot in the field next week at Pinehurst No. 2.
James, who earned co-medalist honors, started his day with a 5 under 67 at the North Course at Canoe Brook Country Club recording six birdies against just one bogey.
Sitting near the top of the leaderboard heading to the South Course for his afternoon round James, fresh off a T2 finish at the NCAA Championships, was clicking on all cylinders posting a nearly flawless 6 under 64 that was highlighted by an eagle on the par 5 11th hole. For the day James, a rising junior at Virginia, played the par 5s in 7 under.
“I really played the par-5s good,” Ben James said. “That’s just the key, giving myself easy birdie looks. I took advantage of those, and I don’t think I had a three-putt, so just two-putted a lot and played pretty conservative at times and then being aggressive—just kind of picking my spots a little bit.”
James has played in the last two Travelers Championships but now he will make his major championship debut.
“I’m just excited to play in a major championship,” said James. “That was always one of my goals growing up and I’ve been so close so many times. I’m going to be ready for it.”
Overall four players qualified on Monday from Canoe Brook CC including Andy Svoboda, the head professional last year at Great River Golf Club. Svoboda, currently the head professional at Butler National Golf Club in Illinois will be competing in his second consecutive U.S. Open.
Editors Note: The Metropolitan Golf Association contributed to this story and provided the photo.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
