Dubai-born Josh Hill’s says his game is in good shape as he looks to qualify for a first Major Championship start via U.S. Open Final Qualifying on June 3.
The youngster, who is in his sophomore year at the University of Tennessee, will go up against the likes of LIV Golf duo Hudson Swafford and Andy Ogletree and former PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner in the 36-hole event at the Golf Club of Georgia.
The number of qualifiers into next month’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No.2 is still to be confirmed, but roughly the top 7.5% advance from 13 Final Qualifying sites on what is known as ‘Golf's Longest Day’.
The exact number of players to advance from each site is determined by the number of players and the strength of each site’s field. In 2023, 64 out of 878 players qualified for the U.S. Open.
“I am excited to be in the Final Qualifying of the U.S. Open on Monday, said Hill, who made the cut at the Dubai Desert Classic and Abu Dhabi Championship when living in Dubai.
“I’ve had quite a long road back from injury, but my game is in good shape and my confidence has started to return with the increased intensity of training.
“Fingers crossed I will play well. Playing in big tournaments and Majors was always on my bucket list for my career path.”
Hill remains one of the greatest products to emerage from the UAE golf scene.
As well as winning numerous titles on the Emirates Golf Federation circuit and holding his own in DP World Tour events, he also holds the record for the youngest winner ever of an Official World Golf Ranking-recognised professional tournament.
Aged 15 years, six months and 27 days, he won the 2019 Al Ain Open on the MENA Tour, beating the previous record, set by Ryo Ishikawa in 2007, by a whole two months.
Other notable names trying to secure their spot in the third Major Championship of the season include LIV Golf’s Joaquin Niemann, former Open champion Stewart Cink, European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald and three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington.
