U.S. Open

The U.S. Open is organized by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and is conducted as a 72-hole individual stroke play tournament played over four rounds. The field consists of 156 competitors, who play two rounds on Thursday and Friday, after which a cut is made to the low 60 players and ties to advance to the weekend rounds on Saturday and Sunday. Qualification for the U.S. Open involves an open qualifying system where professionals and top amateurs can enter local qualifying stages, progressing to sectional qualifying if successful, whereas exempt players based on various criteria join directly in later rounds. In case of a tie after 72 holes, a two-hole aggregate playoff is held, and if the tie persists, sudden death holes decide the winner. The U.S. Open is known for its challenging course setups and is one of golf's four major championships.