Zach Bauchou has played in six PGA Tour events dating back to 2018 when he qualified for the RBC Canadian Open as an amateur.
The Forest native will certainly remember his seventh Tour start.
Bauchou will make his first start in the U.S. Open after claiming medalist honors in a final qualifier held at Duke University Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina, on Monday.
Blacksburg High School graduate Lanto Griffin, former Virginia Tech golfer Trevor Cone, former University of Virginia golfer George Duangmanee and UVa rising seniors Bryan Lee and Ben James secured spots in the U.S. Open at other qualifiers.
The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 12-15 at Oakmont Country Club.
“Something I’ve always wanted to do my whole life is play in the U.S. Open,” an emotional Bauchou said in an interview on the Golf Channel. “So just go up there and try to play hard.”
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Bauchou capped “Golf’s Longest Day” by shooting 5-under 135 over 36 holes to secure one of the seven qualifying spots at Duke.
The Oklahoma State graduate was at 1 over after 18 holes and then made six birdies with no bogeys over the second 18 holes.
Bauchou closed his day with four birdies over his final eight holes and finished one shot ahead of a three-way tie for second.
Griffin secured one of the six qualifying spots at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Powell, Ohio.
The former VCU standout qualified for the U.S. Open for a fifth time (2018, 2020-22) by finishing in a three-way tie for second at 7-under 137 on Monday.
He shot 3-under 69 in his first round and then posted a 4-under 68 in the second round.
Griffin made 12 birdies on the day.
Cone and Lee secured two of the four qualifying spots at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland.
Cone easily advanced by finishing in a tie for second at 5-under 137.
Lee and Marc Leishman secured the final two qualifying spots on the second playoff hole of a 3-for-2 playoff with Sebastian Munoz. All three made par on the first playoff hole, and Lee and Leishman both made par on the second playoff hole and Munoz made bogey.
Cone shot a 36-hole total of 5-under 137. He made six birdies in both rounds and had four bogeys in the first round and three bogeys in the second round.
Lee shot 3-under 139 over 36 holes.
James secured the fourth and final qualifying spot in a qualifier at Canoe Brook Country Club (North and South Courses) in Summit, New Jersey.
James shot 5-under 137 over his two rounds to finish one shot ahead of a four-way tie for fifth.
Duangmanee finished in a tie for second at 5-under 135 to secure one of the four qualifying spots at Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio.
He shot 3 under in his second round, which included an eagle on the par-5 No. 5.
Recent Blacksburg High graduate Jake Albert did not finish after playing 18 holes at Duke. He was at 5-over 75.
Albert’s former teammate Blacksburg, Major Ewing, also didn’t finish after playing 18 holes at Duke. He shot 11-over 81.
Blacksburg native and Northwestern graduate Christopher Zhang shot 7-over 149 and finished in a tie for 36th at Woodmont.
Former Virginia Tech golfer Mark Lawrence withdrew after shooting 5-over 76 over his first 18 holes at Woodmont.
