Local golfers Webb Simpson, Chesson Hadley and Carter Jenkins earn final spots at U.S. Open

By Louis Fernandez, WRAL Sports

"Golf's Longest Day" at Duke University Golf Club was kind to the state of North Carolina.

After 36+ holes at the course, seven players locked up final qualifying spots for the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. Three are locals, not just for the state, but to Raleigh.

Frankie Capan III, Brian Campbell, Sam Bennett, Chesson Hadley and Webb Simpson qualified after playing two 18-hole rounds on Monday. The final two spots assigned to the course were decided in playoffs, with seven golfers tied at -3. Of those seven, Carter Jenkins and Harry Higgs came out on top, securing the final two spots at the U.S. Open assigned to Duke University Golf Club.

Simpson, Hadley and Jenkins are the three Raleigh natives out of the group.

Webb Simpson

Simpson is the most known of the bunch. The 38-year-old has a decorated professional career that includes 7 PGA Tour wins and 84 top 10 finishes. It's all highlighted by Simpson's 2012 U.S. Open title and top 15 finishes at every other major event.

Simpson went to Broughton High School in Raleigh before attending Wake Forest, where he was a three-time All-American. Simpson turned pro in 2008.

Chesson Hadley

36-year-old Hadley turned pro in 2010. He has one career PGA Tour win, the Puerto Rico Open in 2014, and his best major finish came at the U.S. Open in 2019, where he was tied for ninth. Hadley also has 27 top 10 finishes in his career.

"Extra patience, extra grind, a little extra everything just really trying to make sure you can get to Pinehurst," Hadley said. "That would be a dream come true playing in that, and hopefully getting a chance to win it. Being from Raleigh, that's right in my backyard, I would love to get the opportunity to do that."

Hadley went to North Raleigh Christian Academy. From there, Hadley went to Georgia Tech, where he was a three-time All-American.

Carter Jenkins

Jenkins is the youngest of the qualified locals at 28 years old. This will be his first major appearance. After turning pro in 2016, Jenkins has played in 50 PGA Tour Canada events, finishing top 10 in 10 of them. He's played in 46 Korn Ferry Tour events, most recently finishing tied for fourth at the UNC Health Championship at Raleigh Country Club this past weekend. Jenkins has played in two PGA Tour events.

Jenkins went to Leesville Road High School before attending UNC Greensboro. He later transferred to UNC Chapel Hill. Jenkins grew up in the local junior golf community and was good friends with Grayson Murray, a local pro golfer that died in late May.

"It's been a very special five days, it's been a heavy, an emotional five days, but it's been a very, very special five days and I definitely know that there's been someone looking down after me these last few days," Murray said.

One more to watch: Spencer Oxendine

NC State golfer and Fayetteville, NC native Spencer Oxendine was right in the mix for most of the day, even making it to the playoffs, but fell just short of locking up a spot at the U.S. Open.

At least, for now.

Oxendine finished as the No. 1 alternate at the Duke University Golf Club site, which was one of the top sites of the 10 operating a final qualifying event. As everything goes final from the qualifying rounds, that should mean he's one of the top alternates for the entire U.S. Open. Should someone drop out for whatever reason, there's a chance he gets to play at Pinehurst No. 2.

"I learned a lot today, the biggest thing I learned was how important it is to stay in touch with my routine," he said.

Oxendine played five years for the Wolfpack and just turned professional in May. He went to high school at Jack Britt.

"Living 45 minutes from Pinehurst my whole life essentially, home crowd would be really special," Oxendine said.

The U.S. Open comes to Pinehurst, NC on June 13-16.