Qualifier Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen Is in the 2025 U.S. Open Mix

A name most American fans might not recognize is Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. The 25-year-old shot a 1-under 69 on Thursday afternoon to sit T-6, squarely in the mix at Oakmont. The Dane played his college golf at Oklahoma State and turned pro after a sparkling amateur career that included runner-up finishes in the Western Amateur and European Amateur, as well as a spot on the 2023 Arnold Palmer Cup Team.

Neergaard-Petersen played his way into the U.S. Open with a medalist performance at final qualifying in Dallas, shooting 66-65 to top a talented field. Currently playing most of his golf in Europe, he’s been sensational, winning three times in 2024 on the Challenge Tour and racking up five top 10s this year.

One of the charms of the U.S. Open is its open nature. Every year, dozens of players like RNP earn the right to play via the USGA’s qualifying system, and every once in a while, one of those players becomes a big name.

In 2017, a former Western Amateur runner-up and fledgling PGA Tour rookie parlayed open qualifying into a T-5 at Erin Hills. Eight years later, Xander Schauffele has two major wins and ranks third in the world.

Neergaard-Petersen could stumble into one of Oakmont’s many ditches as the championship wears on, but his strong tee-to-green traits make him a player to watch. He could even be a potential Ryder Cup player for the European team, especially with a strong performance the rest of the way at Oakmont.

This piece originally appeared in the Fried Egg Golf newsletter. Subscribe for free and receive golf news and insight every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

{{inline-article}}