Former Hawkeye Carson Schaake qualifies for U.S. Open

Former University of Iowa golfer Carson Schaake emphatically earned a spot Monday in next week’s U.S. Open.

Schaake finished first in a field of 77 players at an Open final qualifier to earn a spot in next week’s Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, Calif. He was one of seven players to advance from the site.

Schaake shot 9-under-par 131 in the 36-hole qualifier at Springfield Country Club to earn his first appearance in one of golf’s four major tournaments. His only PGA Tour start was in the 2015 John Deere Classic as an amateur with a sponsor exemption.

He had four birdies, four bogeys and an eagle for a 2-under 68 in his first round, then tore it up in his second round with seven birdies in a bogey-free 63.

Schaake, from Omaha, Neb., has been playing mini-tour pro events. He won an Arizona tourney on the Outlaw Golf Tour in February, earning $7,500.

He is 26. He advanced to the Springfield sectional qualifying site by being the medalist at the local qualifier in Beatrice, Neb., on May 10. This was the fourth time he got as far as the sectionals.

Schaake was a Big Ten Conference individual co-champion in 2015.

Also, former Iowa State golfer and current PGA Tour player Chris Baker qualified for the Open by tying for third at the Rockville, Md., final qualifier with a 5-under 139. The top four players of the 71 entered advanced to Torrey Pines.

It will be the first major tourney for Indiana native Baker, who has been playing professionally since 2008.

Comments: (319) 398-8440; mike.hlas@thegazette.com