Ohio State’s Vaughn Harber, Former Buckeye Golfer Neal Shipley Qualify For US Open
Former Ohio State Golfer Neal Shipley and current Buckeye Vaughn Harber came out of “Golf’s Longest Day” with a spot in the U.S. Open.
Shipley’s 8-under-par was tied for the best score of the day at the Springfield Country Club in Springfield, Ohio, with Zac Blair. Also qualifying for the event were Dylan Wu, Billy Horschel and Nick Hardy.
Harber qualified at the Westerville final at the Lakes Golf & Country Club with a 9-under-par score, which tied for second place behind the leading score of 11-under-par from Davis Thompson.
Former Buckeye Maxwell Moldovan missed the cut by one stroke in Springfield, finishing the day at 6-under-par. He shot a 6-under 64 on the first 18 holes he played, but was even par at 70 for his second round.
Shipley began the day with an impressive round of 3-under 67, but played even better through his second 18 holes, shooting a 5-under 65 to reach his final for the day and his second U.S. Open appearance.
Shipley also made the 2024 U.S. Open and made the cut, ultimately tying for 26th place with a four-day score of 6-over par at Pinehurst No. 2.
Shipley secured his PGA Tour card for 2026 in August of 2025 when he was ranked No. 3 on the Korn Ferry Tour points list thanks to two victories on the Korn Ferry Tour and a bevy of top-10 finishes.
Harber shot a 5-under 67 in his first 18 holes and followed that up with a 4-under 68 his second time around, earning him an amateur spot in the U.S. Open. He had to make it out of a playoff to qualify.
He had a strong late run to get into that playoff, with a birdie on the 14th hole, an eagle on the 16th and birdies on both the 17th and 18th holes.
The 2026 U.S. Open will be held from June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.