Young Korn Ferry Player Surprises in U.S. Open Debut
Witness the remarkable debut of young golfer Jackson Suber at the 2024 U.S. Open, as he shines on the challenging Pinehurst course, defying the odds and standing out among the leaders. Explore Suber’s journey from the Korn Ferry Tour to the prestigious U.S. Open stage with determination and skill.
BBC Golf: Young Korn Ferry Player Shines in Surprise U.S. Open Debut
In a remarkable turn of events, 24-year-old Jackson Suber, currently ranked 44th on the Korn Ferry Tour, secured a spot in the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 through a dramatic playoff victory and a fortuitous late withdrawal. The Ole Miss product then seized the opportunity, carding an impressive first-round 69 to sit in a tie for ninth place, just four shots behind leaders Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay.
Suber’s path to the U.S. Open was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. After a frustrating stretch of missed cuts on the Korn Ferry Tour, he entered the sectional qualifier in Rockville, Maryland, determined to make the most of his chance. Suber navigated the 36-hole marathon with aplomb, shooting a 65 in the afternoon round, but narrowly missed an automatic spot, finding himself in a playoff for the first alternate position.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” Suber said. “That’s the only way I can describe it.”
On the third playoff hole, Suber faced a daunting 50-foot left-to-right putt, needing to convert it to secure the alternate spot. In a dramatic reversal, he sank the putt, while his opponent, LIV’s Kieran Vincent, missed his shorter birdie attempt. This set the stage for Suber’s unexpected U.S. Open debut.
The opportunity came when world No. 3 Jon Rahm withdrew from the tournament just hours before the start, citing a painful toe infection. Suber was quickly slotted into Rahm’s designated tee time, finding himself paired with major champions Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama.
Embracing the moment, the young Korn Ferry player delivered a stellar opening round, making three birdies and limiting the damage from a few errant shots. Suber’s grit and scrambling ability allowed him to navigate the challenging Pinehurst layout and position himself firmly in the mix, just four shots off the lead.
“Jordan probably after Tiger is the most popular golfer in the world. If you ask people who don’t play golf, that’s one name they know. Hideki is a global superstar. It was really cool to play with them and be up close with them and talk to them.”
With the first round complete, Suber’s unexpected U.S. Open debut has become a story of perseverance, opportunity seized, and a young talent firmly establishing his presence on the game’s biggest stage.
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