Helped by a string of four consecutive birdies mid-round Monday, professional Chris Swenson punched his ticket to the second stage of qualifying with a round of 3-over 75.  (Swenson is a Fergus Falls High School, M State and Bemidji State graduate).

“It was tough. I kind of got in a rhythm after the first seven or eight holes and then made some birdies,” said Swenson, who advanced to the second stage for the first time in five attempts Monday. “I started hitting the tee ball well and hit a few in close.”

Turning in 2-over for his round, Swenson rolled in a 4-footer at the 10th and followed it by sinking a 12-footer at the 11th. 

Reaching the par-5 12th in two, Swenson two-putted for birdie to move to 1-under. From there, he would play his final four holes in 4-over, including a double-bogey at the last to post a 3-over 75.

“You have to stay patient. I haven’t played a round of golf in these conditions in a long time,” the Fergus Falls, Minn., native said. “Tough finish coming in with three unfortunate penalty shots in two holes, but it worked out.”

A former golfer at Bemidji State University, Swenson played in five events on the Dakotas Tour in 2022 and claimed a top-10 finish at a Minnesota PGA Section event late in the season.

The full article can be found here https://www.mngolf.org/News/Johnson_and_Persons_CoMedal_in_Tough_Conditions_at_US_Open_Local_Qualifying_3_Others_Advance