The 45th playing of the U.S. Senior Open will kick off on Thursday, June 26 and run until Sunday, June 29 on the East Course at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs.
Leading the way for the Wisconsin PGA will be Ryan Helminen. Having just turned 50 in late May, Helminen will look to make a splash on senior circuit this week.
The Appleton native was able to earn his spot in the field by making it through local and final qualifying. He carded a 3-over-par 73 to advance past the Kishwaukee CC local qualifier in Dekalb, Illinois. Then he backed it up by shooting 1-under-par 69 at Oconomowoc GC at final qualifying. A feat that was even more impressive considering the final qualifying field was stacked with PGA Tour Champions players in town for the American Family Insurance Championship.
With Helminen’s qualification, it is now the third straight year that a Class A Wisconsin PGA Professional has earned a spot in the U.S. Senior Open field.
Also in the field this week is PGA Tour Champions regular and former Wisconsin State Open Champion, Jerry Kelly.
The field will battle it out for a $4 million purse, with the winner taking home $800,000.
The 72-hole stroke play championship will feature a cut to the low 60 scores and ties after 36-holes.
It will be televised on the Golf Channel and NBC over the course of all four days and may be followed online at – https://championships.usga.org/ussenioropen.html