FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (May 11, 2016) – Seven players advanced through a Local Qualifying Round for the 2016 U.S. Open at Bethpage State Park Golf Course (Red). Those who qualified will move forward to the Sectional Qualifying  Round on Monday, June 6. Two alternates were also designated.

Amateur Kyle Brey of Farmingdale, N.Y., earned medalist honors with a 4-under 66, taking the lead late in the day. This is the first time Brey has qualified through to a sectional round and, after a successful golf season as a sophomore for the golf team at Barry University, he’s looking forward to continuing his journey into the next round. “It’s really special, I’m glad the hard work is paying off. “

Related: Results

Knowing that Matt Lowe had set the lead under par early in the day, Brey knew that he would have to go low to qualify. “I was aggressive off the tee. I started off really well and I finished up with two birdies so I’m very happy with how I played.” Brey finished off the round with a birdie on 18 to take the lead, carrying his momentum from 17, where he rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt from off the green.

Fellow amateurs Lowe of Farmingdale, N.Y., and Gen Nagai of South Orange, N.J., and earned spots in the Sectional Qualifying Round by shooting 3-under 67, as did Bob Rittberger of Garden City, N.Y.

Lowe, a rising sophomore at the University of Richmond, first attempted to make the U.S. Open at the impressive age of 13 and has continued to be a strong competitor in Local and Sectional Qualifying in the years since.

Nagai just completed his freshman year at Seton Hall and is excited to be moving on to the Sectional Round after a successful first attempt in local qualifying for the U.S. Open.

2010 Met Open Champion and Head Golf Professional at Garden City Golf Club Bob Rittberger is glad to move one step closer to competing at Oakmont. “This one would be special to me because I was first alternate in ‘07 at Oakmont. So I went there, saw the range and putting green, and I would love an opportunity to get back there as a player and not just a player alternate."

Closing out the qualifiers at 2-under 68 were amateur Ethan Ng of New York, N.Y., and Christopher Marinaro of East Norwich, N.Y. Both qualified by making par on the second extra hole in a 5-for-3 playoff. Zack Byrd of Murrells Inlet, S.C., earned the last qualifying spot with a birdie on the third playoff hole.

Bethpage State Park Golf Course (Red) played to a par 70 at 6973 yards for a starting field of 120 players.

The remaining local qualifiers conducted by the MGA are on Thursday, May 12, at Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, N.J., Monday, May 16, at Willow Ridge Country Club in Rye, N.Y., and Tuesday, May 17, at Panther Valley Golf & Country Club in Allamuchy Township, N.Y.