A remarkable 20 amateurs made it into the field to start the 2026 US Open at Shinnecock Hills on Thursday, that's more than 10 per cent of the entire line-up consisting of those yet to turn pro.
Any amateur with a handicap index of 0.4 or lower, as well as any professional, can enter US Open qualifying, and there were more than 10,200 golfers who put their name down to compete for a spot at the Major this year.