JUPITER, Florida – South Hadley native Richy Werenski, in his sophomore year on the PGA Tour, added to his playing resume Monday when he advanced through sectional qualifying and officially earned a spot in the field of the 118th U.S. Open Championship, being contested at New York’s Shinnecock Hills Golf Club starting on June 14.
The 26-year old Werenski, who has earned more than $400,000 in 22 events this season, shot 4-under 140 in 36 holes at Florida’s The Bear’s Club, including a 3-under 69 during his afternoon round. As a result, he secured the second of three spots available at the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifying site and finished just two strokes behind Costa Rica amateur and medalist Luis Gagne. Six competitors who finished at 3-under 141 were sent to a playoff to determine the final qualifying spot, as well as first and second alternate placement.
Hosted by the Florida State Golf Association, The Bear’s Club sectional qualifier was one of 10 sectional qualifiers held Monday across the United States. It is also less than 20 miles from West Palm Beach, Florida, where Werenski currently resides. He was one of 11 competitors with Massachusetts ties competing in sectional qualifiers Monday and the only one to advance.
In his opening round, Werenski made birdie on three of his first four holes and then went on to card birdie on the par-5 10th hole and the par-3 16th hole.
Building on his performance during the morning round, Werenski tallied five birdies and an eagle to counter four bogeys to finish at 4-under 140 for the day.
So far this season, Werenski, who has earned 186 points in the 2018 FedEx Cup standings, placed T11 at the Valero Texas Open while also netting top-25 finishes in both the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and the Players Championship.
Prior to turning professional in 2014, Werenski competed in four U.S. Amateur Championships as well as the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. He also captured the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship with his younger brother Mickey in 2013. He was also a four-year standout for the Georgia Tech golf team and earned entrance in his first PGA Tour event by winning the Golf Channel’s reality show Big Break The Palm Beaches, FL in early 2015.
Werenski joins reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Matt Parziale, of Brockton, and New Bedford native Peter Uihlein, who are both exempt into the championship field.
Mass Golf will provide coverage for all its competitors in the 2018 U.S. Open Championship. For more information, visit MassGolf.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @PlayMassGolf. Join the conversation by using the hashtag #MassGolf and #USOpen.
