WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 U.S. Open Final Qualifier at Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach, Florida, held on June 2–3, after weather delayed Monday’s play for nearly four and half hours. The Tuesday restart delivered high drama as players vied for four coveted spots in the upcoming 125th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club.
Qualifiers
Three players secured their places with impressive 11-under-par performances over 36 holes:
- Justin Hicks (65-68)
- Philip Barbaree Jr. (69-64)
- Frankie Harris (a) (66-67)
The final spot was determined in a sudden-death playoff between Austen Truslow and Luke Poulter (a), both finishing at 10-under. Truslow clinched the last qualifying position, while Poulter, son of Ryder Cup veteran Ian Poulter, became the first alternate.
Justin Hicks: Veteran Returns to the U.S. Open
At 50 years old, Justin Hicks showcased his enduring talent by tying for medalist honors. This marks his seventh U.S. Open appearance. Notably, he co-led after the first round in 2008 with a 68, ultimately finishing T-74. His best finish came in 2011, tying for 60th. Hicks has also competed in the 2012 Open Championship (T-45) and the 2025 PGA Championship. After a professional career spanning over two decades, including stints on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tours, Hicks now serves as a teaching professional at Stonebridge Golf & Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida.
Philip Barbaree Jr.: LSU Standout Continues His Journey
Philip Barbaree Jr., a 26-year-old from Shreveport, Louisiana, delivered a stellar second-round 64 to secure his spot. A former LSU Tiger, Barbaree concluded his collegiate career with a 72.27 stroke average, the fourth-lowest in program history. He earned 12 top-10 finishes and contributed to 10 team titles during his tenure. Barbaree's amateur accolades include winning the 2015 U.S. Junior Amateur and being named the 2015 Rolex Junior Player of the Year. Since turning professional in 2021, he has been competing on the PGA TOUR Americas circuit.
Frankie Harris: Rising Amateur Makes His Mark
Frankie Harris, a redshirt junior at the University of South Carolina, impressed by sharing medalist honors with a 133 total. Hailing from Boca Raton, Florida, Harris transferred from Auburn and quickly became a key player for the Gamecocks. In the 2024–25 season, he led the team with a 70.97 scoring average and secured five top-five finishes, tying for the second-most in a single season in program history. His performance earned him Golfweek Honorable Mention All-American honors. Harris also tied for second at the NCAA Bremerton Regional, shooting 205 (-11), and has qualified for three consecutive U.S. Amateurs.
Austen Truslow: From Junior Champion to U.S. Open Qualifier
Austen Truslow, a 29-year-old from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, clinched the final qualifying spot after a tense playoff. A Florida Junior Tour alum, Truslow's junior career was highlighted by a wire-to-wire victory at the 2013 Junior PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, where he posted rounds of 71-67-75 to finish at 3-under-par 213 . He also won the 2014 AJGA Puerto Rico Junior Open, earning a sponsor's exemption into the PGA TOUR's Puerto Rico Open, where he narrowly missed the cut . Truslow turned professional in 2015 while attending Rollins College, choosing to compete on local mini tours instead of collegiate golf . His journey through the ranks has included success on the Korn Ferry Tour and the Asian Tour.
These qualifiers now advance to the U.S. Open at Oakmont, scheduled for June 12–15, where they will compete against the world's best golfers.
