Latest news with #MattVogt
NBC News
18 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC News
Dentist who recently lost his dad qualifies for U.S. Open: ‘I'm going to try not to cry'
Matt Vogt, a 34-year-old dentist from Indianapolis, qualified for the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, not far from where he grew up. Vogt won a qualifying event at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, on June 2. The magnitude of his accomplishment wasn't lost on him. 'I told you I was going to try not to cry,' he told the Golf Channel. 'We stayed present all day. I knew I could do this. Yeah, I knew I could do it, and, you know, Oakmont, in Pittsburgh, and everything there, it means so much to me, having grown up in Pittsburgh and caddying there,' he continued, while getting emotional. 'And it took every ounce of energy in my body to not think about that all day. And I'm just so proud of staying present, staying in the moment. I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream here in a little while, and this isn't going to be real, but it's real, and I'm so excited.' Vogt, who played golf at Butler University, knows he has a tall order ahead of him, but he plans to embrace the moment. 'I'm playing with the best players in the world, so I will soak up every single second of that week and stay insanely present,' he said. 'It's just a dream come true. It truly is. And to continue to play amateur tournaments, and continue to play around the country, and just grind and love this game, like it does so much for me, and just validating all the hard work — yeah, I'm speechless. Truly.' Vogt's accomplishment comes in the shadow of a personal loss: His father died two months ago. While reflecting on his death, Vogt pointed to a ribbon on his hat. 'This is him,' he said. 'We talked about golf. He didn't really teach me the game, but it was something we always, we love sports. We shared that bond, and he was always the one guy, like when I was starting to play golf again and take this seriously, he's the one guy who's tracking me. You know, he's texting me after every birdie, live scoring and all this stuff. 'Like I told you, I knew he was tracking me today. I was looking up to the skies, and I know he's with me, and he'll always be with me. I wish he was here to share it, but I know he's watching.' Vogt and the rest of the field will hit the links for the 125 th U.S. Open when it gets underway June 12, before wrapping up June 15.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Golf's Longest Day Sees Caddie Turned Dentist Turned US Open Competitor
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Over the past two months, the golf world witnessed two of the biggest major victories in history. Rory McIlroy finally donned the green jacket and Scottie Scheffler raised the Wanamaker trophy. Now, with just nine days left before the third major of the season, all eyes have shifted to the $20 million event at Oakmont. On Monday, golfers and spectators witnessed golf's longest day, where professionals and amateurs battle across 10 qualifying sites for 47 coveted spots at the U.S. Open. Caddie turned dentist, Matt Vogt, defies the odds and punches his ticket to the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. (Image Credits: @mattvogt317/Instagram) Caddie turned dentist, Matt Vogt, defies the odds and punches his ticket to the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. (Image Credits: @mattvogt317/Instagram) Instagram Among the notable qualifiers were professionals - Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, Cameron Young, Emiliano Grillo, Marc Leishman, Bud Cauley, Erik van Rooyen, and a caddie-turned-dentist, Matt Vogt, who turned heads. Caddie turned Dentist honors late father Born in Pittsburgh, Vogt spent six years caddying at Oakmont, gaining an intimate knowledge of the course. It appears that knowledge may pay off, albeit after a lengthy stint away from the golf course. Vogt spent over seven years as a dentist in Indianapolis, but now he has secured a spot in his first-ever U.S. Open, which happens to be at Oakmont. Vogt shot back-to-back 68s at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, finishing 8-under to claim one of two available spots. He will be joined by Brady Calkins, who carded seven under. The dentist's performance was nothing short of astounding. In his first round, he carded four birdies in a five-hole stretch on holes 3, 5, 6, and 7, setting the tone for the day. He closed the round with an eagle on 18, securing a strong 4-under 68. His second round mirrored the first, with six birdies and only two bogeys, ensuring another 68 and a final score of 8-under, enough to punch his ticket to Oakmont. Reflecting on his journey, the ex-caddie was filled with emotions: "I knew I could do this... Oakmont and Pittsburgh mean so much to me. It took every ounce of energy in my body to not think about that all day. I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream here, but it's real, and I'm so excited." Vogt's triumph was bittersweet. Just two months ago, he lost his father, who had been his biggest supporter. "The ribbon on my hat is for him." He said while removing the cap in honour. "He didn't teach me the game, but we loved sports and shared that bond. When I started playing seriously, he was always tracking me, texting me after every birdie. I knew he was tracking me today. I looked up to the skies, and I knew he was with me. He'll always be with me." After the achievement, he went on posting on Instagram, "This one's for you Dad! Onward... ✅ #LongestDayInGolf" While Matt Vogt's exceptional qualification captured headlines, several big names fell short in Monday's qualifiers. Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Padraig Harrington, Matt Kuchar, and Eric Cole are some of the biggest. Fowler, who had just earned a spot at The Open Championship, couldn't replicate the success for the U.S. Open, missing out after finishing 5-under in the Columbus qualifier. Homa, meanwhile, endured a grueling 36-hole battle, carrying his own bag. His three-putt bogey on the 36th and final hole forced him into a 5-man playoff, where Cameron Young's clutch birdie sealed the last available spot. Do you think the U.S Open will provide them with exemption? Let us know in the comment section below! More Golf: Max Homa, Rickie Fowler Bested in Epic Playoff for Last US Open Spot
USA Today
3 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Former Oakmont caddie turned dentist the feel-good story of U.S. Open Final Qualifying
Former Oakmont caddie turned dentist the feel-good story of U.S. Open Final Qualifying Among the myriad of feel-good stories emerging out of Monday's Final Qualifying for the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont in Pittsburgh next week, Matt Vogt tops the list. 'I knew I could do it,' he said. Vogt, ranked 1173 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, was born in the Steel City and caddied for six years at Oakmont. He played college golf at Butler University and works as a dentist in Indianapolis. He last earned amateur ranking points with a 17th in February's Gasparilla Invitational, but after advancing through 18-hole Local Qualifying, he won the Indianapolis Open. That proved to be good prep for going to Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington, where he shot a pair of 68s in 36-hole qualifying. That was good enough to be medalist at the qualifying site and earn one of two available spots in the U.S. Open. 'I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream here in a little while and it's not going to be real but it is real,' he said on Golf Channel. Vogt was understandably emotional during his interview and he struggled to hold back tears when he was asked about his father, who died two months ago. Vogt said he wore a ribbon on his hat in his father's honor and recalled how his father used to track his rounds online and text him after every birdie and bogey. 'I knew he was tracking me today,' Vogt said on Monday. 'I wish he was here to share it with me but I know he was watching.' Heartwarming stuff. Expect to hear plenty more about Vogt's unique tale en route to earning one of 156 spots in the U.S. Open field from more than 10,000 golfers who signed up and attempted to play their way to Oakmont. The course has undergone a renovation since Vogt was last there for the 2021 U.S. Amateur, but it's doubtful anyone in the field will know it better than the Indianapolis dentist who is coming home to his old stomping grounds. 'I will soak up every single second of that week,' said Vogt of the Open, which gets underway on June 12. 'It's just a dream come true.'
Reuters
3 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Dentist and former Oakmont caddie Vogt qualifies for U.S. Open
June 3 (Reuters) - Full-time dentist and amateur golfer Matt Vogt booked his place in the 125th U.S. Open, to be held at the course where he worked as a caddie, after topping final qualifying at Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington on Monday. Vogt shot back-to-back 68s to finish eight under par, grabbing one of two spots on offer for the June 12–15 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. U.S. Open final qualifying is a demanding 36-hole challenge dubbed "Golf's Longest Day". "I'm going to try not to cry. I just knew I could do this. Vogt told the Golf Channel. "Having grown up in Pittsburgh and caddying there, it took every ounce of energy in my body to not think about that all day. And I'm just so proud of staying present and staying in the moment. I feel like I'm going to wake up from a dream here and this isn't going to be real, and I'm so excited." Vogt's father, who supported his son when he decided to take up golf seriously, died two months ago. "He was texting me after every birdie, and I knew he was tracking me today," Vogt said. "I was looking up to the skies, and I knew he was with me. I wish he was here to share it with, but I know he's watching."
CBS News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Here's who has qualified for next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club
The field is nearly set for next week's U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. The best golfers in the world will be teeing it up next week for the 125th playing of the U.S. Open and from a Pittsburgh native to a number of past champions trying to win the championship again, there are plenty of big storylines to follow. The U.S. Open will tee off on June 12 and here are some of those big storylines to follow. Matt Vogt, a former Oakmont caddy qualifies for the U.S. Open Matt Vogt was among those who qualified for the upcoming U.S. Open during final qualifying on Monday. Final qualifying consisted of a grueling 36-hole competition known as "Golf's Longest Day." Vogt, who caddied at Oakmont for six years and now a dentist based out of Indianapolis, shot 68-68 at the Wine Valley Golf Club in Walla Walla, Washington to earn medalist honors and a spot in the U.S. Open next week in his hometown. After qualifying for the U.S. Open, Vogt said Oakmont and the tournament being held in Pittsburgh means so much to him, but he tried to block out those thoughts while attempting to qualify. "It took every ounce of energy in my body to not think about that all day," Vogt said. A caddie turned dentist turned U.S. Open competitor! 👏 👏 👏 If you watch one Golf's Longest Day interview, make sure it's this one from Matthew Vogt. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2025 Vogt said he hasn't been at Oakmont since 2021 and hasn't seen the recent renovations at the course that have been implemented since then. "It was very hard then," Vogt said. "You know, I'm a different player. I'm a better player, I know that. But I'm playing with the best players in the world, so I will soak up every single second of that week and stay insanely present. It's just a dream come true." High School Junior Mason Howell qualifies for U.S. Open Another big storyline that came out of final qualifying on Monday happened at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Georgia as 17-year-old Mason Howell made big headlines. Howell, a high school junior who is committed to play college golf at the University of Georgia, qualified for the U.S. Open by shooting 63-63 and finishing 18-under par to earn his spot at Oakmont Country Club. "That was one of the greatest moments of my life," Howell said after qualifying. High school junior Mason Howell won the Atlanta U.S. Open qualifier with an incredible 18-under score over 36 holes. 😳🔥 📺 Golf Channel — Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 3, 2025 Howell, currently 8th in the American Junior Golf Association ranking list, earned his spot in the U.S. Open without making a single bogey across his 36 holes of final qualifying. Cameron Young qualifies for U.S. Open in playoff One of the higher profile final qualifying events was held at the Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Columbus, Ohio and featured some prominent PGA Tour names who were trying to earn a spot at next week's U.S. Open. Erik Van Rooyen earned medalist honors with a stunning 13-under par score, six shots better than the next player in the field, but the big storyline from the qualifier was the playoff for the final qualifying spot. Rickie Fowler and Max Homa, who was carrying his own bag, both shot 5-under par to earn their way into the playoff. This is what Golf's Longest Day is all about! 6x @PGATOUR winner Max Homa out here grinding 36 holes with his own bag on his back in an effort to play in his sixth-consecutive U.S. Open. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 2, 2025 Cameron Young also made the playoff, making a necessary birdie on the last of his 36 holes to move to 5-under as well. CAMERON YOUNG CLUTCH! A birdie on the first playoff hole and he's on to Oakmont! Homa, Fowler, Cole and Johnson are heading home. — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2025 In the playoff, Young birdied the first hole, securing him a spot in the U.S. Open. Can Bryson DeChambeau go back-to-back? Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, last year's winner at Pinehurst, is aiming to become just the second back-to-back champion of the last 75 years, a feat achieved by Brooks Koepka in 2017 and 2018 and by Ben Hogan in 1950 and 1951. PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 16: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays his third shot out of a greenside bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 16, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. / Getty Images Should DeChambeau be able to repeat, he'll join a relatively exclusive club of players to win the U.S. Open three or more times that includes Tiger Woods, Hale Irwin, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, and Willie Anderson. Phil Mickelson still chasing the career grand slam Can Phil Mickelson find lightning in a bottle to contend at this year's U.S. Open and complete the career grand slam? Mickelson would love to become the seventh all-time player to achieve the grand slam, already having won the Masters, the PGA Championship, and the Open Championship. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Phil Mickelson of the United States hits out of a greenside bunker on the fourth hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. / Getty Images Six times a runner up at the U.S. Open, Mickelson has struggled as of late at major championships. Since winning the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island in 2021, Mickelson has missed the cut in 10 of his 14 appearances at majors. In the four times he made the cut, he had a 2nd place and 43rd place finish at the Masters, 58th place finish at the PGA Championship, and 60th place finish at the Open Championship. Is Scottie Scheffler the favorite to win at Oakmont? When the players tee off at Oakmont next week, Scottie Scheffler will likely be the favorite to win the tournament. Scheffler, the world's No. 1 ranked player, is on a hot streak currently, having won three of the last four competitions he has played in. With wins at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, the PGA Championship, and the Memorial, Scheffler has now been victorious 16 times on the PGA Tour since winning the 2022 WM Phoenix Open. DUBLIN, OHIO - JUNE 01: Scottie Scheffler of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the final round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 01, 2025 in Dublin, Ohio. / Getty Images In seven U.S. Open appearances, Scheffler has posted three top 10 finishes, including a tied for second place result in 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Scheffler competed in the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont as an amateur, but missed the cut. Former champions in the field at Oakmont Along with defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (2024 and 2020), a number of past U.S. Open champions will be in the field at Oakmont last week. Past champions in the field include: Wyndham Clark, 2023 at Los Angeles Country Club Matt Fitzpatrick, 2022 at The Country Club Jon Rahm, 2021 at Torrey Pines Gary Woodland, 2019 at Pebble Beach Brooks Koepka, 2018 and 2017 at Shinnecock Hills and Erin Hills Dustin Johnson, 2016 at Oakmont Jordan Spieth, 2015 at Chambers Bay Justin Rose, 2013 at Merion Rory McIlroy, 2011 at Congressional Lucas Glover, 2009 at Bethpage Black A full list of players who will be competing in next week's U.S. Open can be found here.
