James emerges victorious at the end of “Golf’s Longest Day”.
Just over a week after experiencing heartache in California, UVA golfer Ben James has qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst.
James was given a one-stroke penalty in the opening round of the NCAA Championships over Memorial Weekend, which cost him a chance at a playoff to win the trophy when he missed a 15-foot birdie putt on the last hole to tie Georgia Tech’s Hiroshi Tai.
As Virginia Cavaliers Men’s Basketball coach Tony Bennett famously said after the UMBC loss, “Joy comes in the morning,” and it did for Ben James, also known as “Big Ben.”
The U.S. Open qualifying is renowned as “golf’s longest day” since all golfers who qualify to play in this tournament must complete 36 holes of golf while competing against the world’s top amateurs as well as pro golfers who have not yet qualified for the U.S. Open.
Ben James arrived at Canoe Brook Country Club as the world’s fifth-ranked amateur, and he will leave with a spot in the 2024 US Open field.
James shot 67-64 (-11) and shared the medalist slot with PGA Tour member Max Greyserman, who birdied eight of his final nine holes to secure his spot.
What a year for the second year in Milford, Connecticut. This year, his average was 70.31, he finished at par or better in 23 of his 34 rounds, he had seven top-10 event finishes out of the 11 tournaments he played, placed T-2 in the NCAA Championships, and is now preparing to compete in the United States Open.
James will join a field that currently includes two former Cavaliers. Denny McCarthy and Ben Kohles will also compete at Pinehurst, giving Virginia fans throughout the country three Wahoos to root for on Father’s Day weekend.
Leave a Reply