The journey of Jackson Suber, a 24-year-old Korn Ferry Tour player, to the U.S. Open can only be described as miraculous. Ranked No. 44 in the Korn Ferry Tour standings, Suber had been struggling to make an impact in recent weeks. However, he didn’t let that deter him from signing up for the U.S. Open qualifier after missing four cuts in a row.
Suber’s performance in the qualifier was impressive. He shot a 1-under par on the first 18 holes and followed it up with a remarkable 6-under 65 in the afternoon. But his fate hung in the balance when he missed a crucial 6-foot putt on the 36th hole, forcing him into a playoff for the first alternate spot from the Maryland qualifier.
In the playoff, Suber found himself in a tense situation on the third hole with LIV’s Kieran Vincent. He faced a challenging 50-foot left-to-right lag putt after nearly spinning his shot off the green’s false front. Vincent had a 4-foot putt for birdie. In an incredible turn of events, Suber made his putt while Vincent missed his, securing Suber’s spot as the first alternate for the U.S. Open.
However, Suber’s luck didn’t end there. Jon Rahm, who was scheduled to play in the U.S. Open, had to withdraw due to an infected toe. Suber was not only given a tee time at his first major championship but was also placed in Rahm’s predetermined pairing with Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama.
Suber found out about his entry into the tournament while on the course, which allowed him to share the exciting news with his family and support system. The adrenaline was pumping as he stood on the first tee box alongside two Masters champions. Despite being relatively unknown compared to his playing partners, Suber impressed the spectators with his exceptional play.
After a bogey on the second hole, Suber bounced back with a stellar approach shot on the third, landing it just 2 feet from the hole. He continued to impress with two birdies on the front nine and several crucial up-and-down pars. Although he faced some challenges on the back nine, Suber managed to finish strong, carding a 1-under par in his final three holes.
For Suber, this week has been nothing short of surreal. He had the opportunity to learn from and interact with top professionals like Tony Finau and even witnessed Tiger Woods practicing on the chipping green. Despite the unexpected circumstances that led to his entry into the U.S. Open, Suber always believed in his ability to compete at this level.
As he reflects on his journey, Suber acknowledges that nothing in life is guaranteed. However, he remains determined to give it his best shot and make the most of this incredible opportunity.