(Reuters) -Full-time dentist and amateur golfer Matt Vogt booked his place in the 125th U.S. Open, to be held at the course where he worked as a caddie, after topping final qualifying at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington on Monday.
Vogt shot back-to-back 68s to finish eight under par, grabbing one of two spots on offer for the June 12–15 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.
U.S. Open final qualifying is a demanding 36-hole challenge dubbed “Golf’s Longest Day”.
“I’m going to try not to cry. I just knew I could do this. Vogt told the Golf Channel.
“Having grown up in Pittsburgh and caddying there, it took every ounce of energy in my body to not think about that all day. And I’m just so proud of staying present and staying in the moment. I feel like I’m going to wake up from a dream here and this isn’t going to be real, and I’m so excited.”
Vogt’s father, who supported his son when he decided to take up golf seriously, died two months ago.
“He was texting me after every birdie, and I knew he was tracking me today,” Vogt said. “I was looking up to the skies, and I knew he was with me. I wish he was here to share it with, but I know he’s watching.”
(Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
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