Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Morales Qualifies for Second-Straight U.S. Open
June 04, 2024 | Men's Golf
DALY CITY, Calif. – Junior Omar Morales on the UCLA men's golf team qualified for a second-straight U.S. Open by placing second at the Daly City Qualifier at Lake Merced Golf Club Monday afternoon. Morales will compete at the 124th U.S. Open hosted at Pinehurst No. 2 in the Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina from June 13-16.
Morales went birdie-birdie on his final two holes in Daly City to earn his spot in the U.S Open's field of 156. He sunk a roughly 15-foot putt on the par-5 18th to clinch his berth. Eighty-four total golfers competed at the Lake Merced Qualifier with only four making the cut. Morales shot rounds of 68-65 to finish 11-under and survive "Golf's Longest Day."
The 124th U.S. Open will be televised by the USA Network, Peacock and NBC.
"It's been a long day as all the qualifiers are being played today. It's just a grind and to finish birdie-birdie was very satisfying," Morales said after his two rounds on Monday, in an interview with the Golf Channel. "I'm very proud of myself for heading to the U.S. Open again."
"Playing in one U.S. Open is a special accomplishment, especially while in college, and Omar just qualified for a second consecutive year. Unbelievable," said UCLA Head Coach Armen Kirakossian. "His development and progression these last few years has been remarkable. It's a testament to the belief he has in himself backed up with extremely hard work. Omar is a guy anyone can root for. He does it the right way and treats people the right way. He has earned this and it's well deserved. I'm so proud of Omar and excited he is getting another opportunity on golf's biggest stage."
Morales hit the opening tee shot in his first U.S. Open appearance last June at nearby Los Angeles Country Club. The then-UCLA sophomore sat atop the leaderboard at 3-under after the turn in round one. Morales missed the cut with round scores of 71-78 (+9). He earned his spot at LACC by winning the Hillcrest Country Club Qualifier with back-to-back 65s.
"It means a lot (to go back to the U.S. Open)," Morales said. "It's a great honor and a great reward and also evidence that I put in the work and I'm just super grateful to have the opportunity again."
In the 2023-2024 collegiate season, Morales was tabbed to the All-Pac-12 First Team and GCAA PING West All-Region First Team for the first time in his career. The Puebla, Mexico native paced the Bruins with a 69.9 scoring average, seven top-10 finishes and 25 rounds under par.
Morales won his second collegiate medal at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate with a score of 11-under (68-68-69). He placed top-15 in his final four events of the season, including a t-3rd finish at the Pac-12 Championships.
Only one of Morales' 31 rounds as part of UCLA's lineup this season did not contribute to the Bruins' team score (30/31 counting rounds).
Corey Pavin is the lone Bruin to have won a Major Championship event. Pavin won the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York. Five amateurs have won the U.S. Open in the tournament's 122-year history.
Morales went birdie-birdie on his final two holes in Daly City to earn his spot in the U.S Open's field of 156. He sunk a roughly 15-foot putt on the par-5 18th to clinch his berth. Eighty-four total golfers competed at the Lake Merced Qualifier with only four making the cut. Morales shot rounds of 68-65 to finish 11-under and survive "Golf's Longest Day."
The 124th U.S. Open will be televised by the USA Network, Peacock and NBC.
"It's been a long day as all the qualifiers are being played today. It's just a grind and to finish birdie-birdie was very satisfying," Morales said after his two rounds on Monday, in an interview with the Golf Channel. "I'm very proud of myself for heading to the U.S. Open again."
"Playing in one U.S. Open is a special accomplishment, especially while in college, and Omar just qualified for a second consecutive year. Unbelievable," said UCLA Head Coach Armen Kirakossian. "His development and progression these last few years has been remarkable. It's a testament to the belief he has in himself backed up with extremely hard work. Omar is a guy anyone can root for. He does it the right way and treats people the right way. He has earned this and it's well deserved. I'm so proud of Omar and excited he is getting another opportunity on golf's biggest stage."
Morales hit the opening tee shot in his first U.S. Open appearance last June at nearby Los Angeles Country Club. The then-UCLA sophomore sat atop the leaderboard at 3-under after the turn in round one. Morales missed the cut with round scores of 71-78 (+9). He earned his spot at LACC by winning the Hillcrest Country Club Qualifier with back-to-back 65s.
"It means a lot (to go back to the U.S. Open)," Morales said. "It's a great honor and a great reward and also evidence that I put in the work and I'm just super grateful to have the opportunity again."
In the 2023-2024 collegiate season, Morales was tabbed to the All-Pac-12 First Team and GCAA PING West All-Region First Team for the first time in his career. The Puebla, Mexico native paced the Bruins with a 69.9 scoring average, seven top-10 finishes and 25 rounds under par.
Morales won his second collegiate medal at the Golf Club of Georgia Collegiate with a score of 11-under (68-68-69). He placed top-15 in his final four events of the season, including a t-3rd finish at the Pac-12 Championships.
Only one of Morales' 31 rounds as part of UCLA's lineup this season did not contribute to the Bruins' team score (30/31 counting rounds).
Corey Pavin is the lone Bruin to have won a Major Championship event. Pavin won the 1995 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in New York. Five amateurs have won the U.S. Open in the tournament's 122-year history.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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