Vaughn Harber, OSU Sophomore and DeSales Alumnus, Secures Spot in U.S. Open

Vaughn Harber, a sophomore at Ohio State University and a graduate of DeSales High School, has clinched a spot in the prestigious U.S. Open. On June 8, Harber found himself in a challenging position at the Lakes Golf and Country Club, needing an extraordinary finish to qualify for the tournament scheduled for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York.

Displaying remarkable skill and composure, Harber played the last five holes brilliantly, finishing at 5 under par to enter a four-way playoff for three qualifying positions. His performance included a birdie on the 14th hole, an eagle on the 16th, and birdies on both the 17th and 18th holes, bringing his two-round total to 9 under, tying him with three other competitors. In the playoff, he secured his U.S. Open berth by sinking a birdie on the first hole after a precise approach shot.

Harber is not only a talented golfer but also the reigning state high school champion from DeSales. He stood out in his first year at Ohio State, where he achieved the second-best scoring average on the team at 72.94 and earned three top-10 finishes in his last four tournaments. Alongside Harber, the other qualifiers from the event included medalist Davis Thompson, PGA Tour player J.B. Holmes, and amateur Arni Sveinsson, all set to compete in Long Island.

Former Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley also qualified from the Springfield, Ohio, site, adding to the excitement for the university's golf program. Harber’s achievement marks a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.