A field of 120 players set out to punch their ticket to Sectional Qualifying for the United States Open to be played at historic Merion Golf Club in June. In arguably its best condition ever, Aberdeen Golf Club provided a stern test for the players and produced a well credentialed group of qualifiers.

Adam Long, a Francis Howell graduate and Duke alum, fired the low round of the day with a 4-under par, 67. Long has bounced around from the development professional tours and Web.com tour over the past several years since graduating from Duke.

Joe Migdal earned low amateur honors with a 2-under par, 69. Migdal enjoyed success as a member of the Central Missouri State University golf team where he participated in the NCAA Division II National Championship for the Mules.

Zach Barlow seems to like qualifying out of the St. Louis location. The Percy, IL native and graduate of the University of Illinois earned medalist honors last year in the St. Louis local qualifying. Yesterday at Aberdeen, Barlow finished T3 with 1-under par, 70.

Tied with Barlow was Justin Bryant and Carr Vernon. Vernon is a past champion of the Ozark Amateur and another of many strong players to come from the Poplar Bluff area. Justin Bryant won the Metropolitan Match Play Championship in 2012 and has since turned professional.

The two final qualifying spots required extra work as three players were tied at Even Par, 71. Todd Mitchell, the 2008 U.S. Mid Amateur Runner Up was the first to post Even Par to be quickly joined by Kansas State’s, Kyle Weldon. Playing in the afternoon wave, Skip Berkmeyer birdied two of his final four holes to earn a post in the 3 for 2 playoff.

On the third playoff hole, Berkmeyer and Weldon were able to make birdie on the par 4, 1st hole at Aberdeen Golf Club. Mitchell will be relegated to first alternate.

To view a complete summary of results – Go HERE.

The Road to Merion begins at Aberdeen Golf Club for 120 aspiring U.S. Open participants. A total of 9,860 entrants will be pursuing every scratch golfers dream of competing in our national championship and Merion Golf Club is no stranger to the pursuit of a national championship.  Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA, has played host to more USGA Championships than any other club in the country.

111 Local Qualifying sites will host these 9,860 players around the country beginning May 3. The local qualifying administered by the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association at Aberdeen Golf Club will be played Wednesday, May 15th. Of the 120 who will start their “Road to Merion”, 7 fortunate individuals will move on to one of 11 Sectional sites slated for Monday, June 3rd. This will be the largest field St. Louis has entertained for US Open Local Qualifying since 112 players attempted to qualify in 2007.

Aberdeen Golf Club has been a consistent supporter of the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association having hosted two US Amateur Public Links Qualifying’s and US Junior Amateur Qualifying.

Visit the Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association’s website HERE to view the Groupings and Starting Times for this 18 hole shootout to see who advances to Sectional Qualifying.