Local U.S. Open qualifying: Former BYU star Carson Lundell, four others advance to final qualifying

About an hour after Akina drained his clutch birdie putt, former BYU golfer Carson Lundell came in with an 8-under 64 to claim medalist honors. Lundell played the par-35 front nine at just 1-under, then shot a 30 on the par-37 back nine to win medalist by two shots.

Also qualifying on Monday were University of Utah golfer Brandon Robison, former Utah Open champion Dusty Fielding, BYU freshman Jackson Mauss and Akina. They all shot 6-under 66s.

Robison recently graduated with a degree in finance and will represent the Utes at the NCAA Men’s Golf Championships Columbus (Ohio) Regional next week. The Viewmont High product birdied his first three holes, then made a double-bogey on the par-3 5th hole when he hit his tee shot near the green, but couldn’t find it.

However, rather than sulk over the unlucky lost ball penalty, Robison shot a 5-under 32 on the back nine to qualify.

“That lost ball kind of knocked me back, but then I just kept to my process and hit good shots,” Robison, 24, said. “I struck it well today. I played the five par-5s well, drove a couple greens.”

Like Akina, Robison had trouble remembering which final qualifying site he listed as a preference. He just knows that he’s well equipped to play 36 holes in one day, which is what will happen at the final qualifying sites.

After the NCAAs, Robison plans to turn pro.

“I can’t think of a better way to start my professional career than at a major,” he said. “This is one step closer to that. Obviously, you gotta make it through the longest day in golf, but yeah, that’s the goal.”

As for Keanu Akina, the $250 entry fee was money well-spent for a chance to chase his dream.

“Everyone dreams of playing in the U.S. Open,” he said, noting that “The Greatest Game Ever Played” is one of his favorite golf movies and is about the 1913 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

“I have probably watched that movie 100 times. … There is still a rough road ahead in final qualifying, but if you have one good day, two good rounds, you are in the U.S. Open. It is a long shot, but it is worth it.”

BYU’s Barragan tied for 6th at regionals

Also Monday, BYU golfer Maria Jose “MJ” Barragan is tied for sixth at 3-under 69 in the NCAA Women’s Louisville Regional in Kentucky. Competing as an individual because she qualified for regionals but her team did not, Barragan made three birdies and no bogeys on Monday.

To advance to the NCAA Championships at Omni La Costa Resort in California, Barragan will need to finish as the low individual not on an advancing team.

Local U.S. Open Qualifying

At Willow Creek Country Club, Sandy

Qualifiers

64 — Carson Lundell (medalist)

66 — Brandon Robison

66 — Dusty Fielding

66 — Jackson Mauss

66 — Keanu Akina

Shot Par or Better, But Failed to Qualify

67 — Parker Bunn (First Alternate)

68 — KJ Ofahengaue (Second Alternate)

68 — Simon Kwon

68 — Zac Jones

69 — Zachary Skinner

70 — Peyton Hastings

70 — Noah Schone

70 — Peter Kim

70 — David Liechty

70 — Mitchell Schow

70 — Cole Beyer

70 — Mack Herzog

71 — Blake Brown

71 — Will Pedersen

72 — Noah Goeckeritz

72 — Todd Miller

72 — Jaxon Erickson

72 — Josh Pehrson

72 — Roman Aragon

72 — Cameron Crawford

72 — Carson Peterson