Japan’s Ryuichi Oiwa carded a 61 in the second round on Monday and joined two countrymen in claiming spots in next month’s U.S. Open.
Oiwa finished the 36-hole qualifying event in Hino, Japan, at 12-under 128, one stroke ahead of Kaito Onishi and two ahead of Taihei Sato.
Fourth- and fifth-place finishers Riki Kawamoto and Taichi Nabetani, also of Japan, are the first and second alternates for the June 18-21 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y.
Oiwa, 28, is ranked No. 378 in the world and competes on the Japan Tour. This is the first time he has qualified for a Grand Slam tournament.
Oiwa opened with a 3-under 67 at the Hino Golf Club’s King Course that included five birdies and a double-bogey at the par-4 14th hole. He delivered nine birdies in a bogey-free second round, including three in a row at Nos. 15-1.
Onishi, 27, is ranked No. 811 in the world and has competed in 32 events on the PGA Tour. He currently competes on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he won the UNC Health Championship tournament in 2024.
Onishi got to 11-under with rounds of 64 and 65 on Monday, overcoming a double-bogey at the par-4 13th hole in his second round with birdies at Nos. 14, 16 and 17.
Sato, 32, is No. 424 in the world rankings. He captured his first title on the Japan Tour at the Fortinet Players Cup in 2025.
Sato finished at 10-under after shooting 66 and 64. His wild opening round included two bogeys, three birdies and an eagle on the front nine.
–Field Level Media
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