Herzig Leads U.S. Open Local Qualifier at Shaker Ridge

May 12, 2025

ALBANY, N.Y. – Local qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open Championship was conducted by the New York State Golf Association at Shaker Ridge Country Club on Monday, May 12.

Eighty-four players competed for four qualifying places and two alternate positions into one of the final stage qualifying sites in early June. The national open championship itself will be hosted at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, June 12-15.

Related: Final Results / Photos / U.S. Open Home

Amateur player Robbie Herzig of New York City was the qualifying medalist with 3-under 68 on the stern 1929 Jim Thompson layout.

"It was nice to get off to a good start. I hit a couple bumps in the road with those two doubles but I like the way that I bounced back and made a couple birdies on the next few holes," Herzig mentioned about the round. "I feel like that’s what it’s all about for me. If I make a mistake I try to bounce back and get back into a rhythm."Connecticut's Max Theodorakis also finished the qualifier under par at 1-under. He was an alternate during last year's local qualifier at Albany Country Club.

A 4-for-2 playoff decided the final qualifying two spots for a quartet tied at even par after 18 holes. The playoff began on began on No. 1 at Shaker Ridge. Anthony Cavotta of Saratoga Springs was the first to advance with a par, while the other three bogeyed. All three players left made par on the second hole to move back to hole No 1. On the third and final playoff hole, amateur Braydon Dock of Queensbury took the final qualifying position with another par.

Herzig and Dock are both current members of the Colgate University Men's Golf Team, and coincidentally the two lone amateurs to advance through this year's qualifier.

Thomas Strandemo of Minnesota is the First Alternate. while Evan Sitts of Franklin is the Second Alternate.

The golf course setup at 6,837 yards and played to a par of 71.