Past CSGA Champions, DI Standouts, and Prominent Golf Broadcaster Among Those Set to Play for Spot at US Open Final Qualifying
Milford, Connecticut (April 30, 2026) – When the sun rises over Great River Golf Club next Tuesday, May 5, it won’t just illuminate a championship-caliber course—it will reveal a field as formidable as the stage itself. Ninety competitors will arrive chasing a single dream: competing in the United States Open Championship. Awaiting them is a deep, talented, and accomplished class of competitors, including several CSGA Major Champions and some of the best golf talent from across the region.
Ahead of next week’s 18-hole qualifying round, here’s a look at some of the names vying for a spot in U.S. Open Final Qualifying:
CSGA Major Champions
Nine players with CSGA Major Championship victories will tee it up Tuesday for a chance to qualify for a trip to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, the site of the 126th U.S. Open Championship:
- Cody Paladino: 2006 Connecticut Public Links Champion, 2013 Connecticut Amateur Champion, 2015 Connecticut Open Champion, 2022 and 2024 Russell C. Palmer Cup Champion, and 2024 Connecticut Mid-Amateur Champion
- Benjamin Day: 2015 Russell C. Palmer Cup Champion and 2019 Connecticut Mid-Amateur Champion
- Adam Friedman: 2024 Connecticut Public Links Champion and 2025 Connecticut Amateur Champion
- Rasmey Kong: 2019 Connecticut Open Champion
- Jackson Roman: 2024 Connecticut Open Champion
- Raymond Floyd, Jr.: 2011 Connecticut Mid-Amateur Champion
- Jake Portugal: 2025 Russell C. Palmer Cup Champion
- Blake Morris: 2014 Russell C. Palmer Cup Champion
Division I Standouts:
Several elite Division I golfers wrapping up their collegiate seasons will compete at Great River for a chance to advance to final qualifying, including:
- Kai Jun Huang, University of Connecticut
- Angus Klintworth, BYU
- Caden Piselli, University of Maryland
- Robby Rosati, University of Maryland Commit
- Jackson Roman, Loyola University – Maryland
- Pablo Lacayo, Sacred Heart University
- Robert Zyskowski III, Sacred Heart University
- Jonathan Bushka, Sacred Heart University
- Alex Turlik, Sacred Heart University
- Quin Adams, Sacred Heart University
- Ben Madden, Fairfield University
- Tadgh Burke, Fairfield University
Other Notable Names
- Shane Bacon, Golf Broadcaster
- Bacon, the left-hander, known for his broadcast presence on CBS, the Korn Ferry Tour, and Masters Tournament Featured Coverage will look to punch his ticket to U.S. Open Final Qualifying.
- Jason Thresher, Former PGA TOUR Latinoamérica Member, Mass and New Hampshire Open Champion
- Thresher, a legend of the game in New England, will seek to add to his lengthy list of accomplishments.
- Christopher Tallman, Six-Time CT Section PGA Player of the Year
- Tallman, the Director of Instruction at GreatHorse, fresh off of competing in the PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes, continues his quest of competing at the game’s greatest stages.
The players with the low 5 scores will advance to final qualifying. Follow along with the action here.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut Senior Amateur is one of 20 championships conducted by the Connecticut State Golf Association. The CSGA 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.
