USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
On Monday, hundreds of competitors took to the course in the hopes of punching their ticket to the U.S. Open during what is known as “Golf’s Longest Day.” Chase Kyes, a member of the golf team at the University of Tennessee, earned one of those qualifying spots, and he discovered he doesn’t have much time to prepare for the major during an interview he conducted after his round.
The U.S. Open is set to get underway at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club next Thursday, and as of Monday morning, 104 golfers had already secured their spot in the tournament. However, that number ballooned to close to 150 by the time the evening rolled around thanks to the qualifying events that were held across North America.
The major is referred to as an “open” for a reason, as the USGA conducts a number of events that give any golfer with a handicap of .4 or better the chance to compete alongside those who’ve earned an exemption for their play on the PGA Tour and other circuits.
They culminate with the gauntlet that is referred to as “Golf’s Longest Day,” as players are tasked with playing back-to-back 18-hole rounds in qualifiers while trying to snag one of the spots up for grabs.
On Monday, a grand total of 713 golfers (pros and amateurs alike) descended upon the 10 courses that hosted those qualifiers while vying for one of the 43 invites to the 2026 U.S. Open. University of Tennessee freshman Chase Kyes ended up clinching one of them, and he got some unexpected news while reflecting on his round with a reporter.
Tennessee Volunteers golfer Chase Kyes didn’t know the U.S. Open was next week when he qualified
Kyes was the top-ranked golfer in the class of 2025 before he linked up with the team at the University of Tennessee. The Alabama native won two individual state championships during his time at Spain Park High School, and he tied for 49th when he capped off his freshman season at the NCAA Championship in California at the start of June.
On Monday, Kyes headed down to Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Georgia for the U.S. Open qualifier that was held at the course. He was one of the five people who earned a spot when everything was said and done, as he followed up the 67 he shot in the morning with a 66 to finish at -11 (one stroke ahead of the two men who ended up as alternates at -10).
Kyes chatted with Golf Channel’s Ryan Lavner after the round, and he seemed to be under the impression he’d have more time than he actually does to prepare for what Shinnecock has to throw at him when you consider he said “I didn’t know it was next week” after being informed that was the case.
“We could still get 30 more minutes out of today.” 🌙
“I didn’t know it [the U.S. Open] was next week.” 🤣
Unfazed by the dark, Chase Kyes (a) shot 67-66 to make his first @USOpenGolf, and he gave a fantastic interview after with @RyanLavnerGC pic.twitter.com/pzdCycPjFM
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 9, 2026
He followed up that initial thought by saying, “I’m just pumped to see it. It’s gonna be awesome,” so he’s obviously looking forward to what’s in store even though he won’t have too much time to gear up.