Former U. of Iowa golfer Alex Schaake qualifies for next week’s U.S. Open

They call the Monday day of final qualifying for the U.S. Open “Golf’s Longest Day,” and Alex Schaake can vouch for it..

The former University of Iowa golfer played 44 holes Monday, and the 44th was the charm.

At 9:12 p.m., Eastern time, Schaake made a short birdie putt on the eighth playoff hole, the par-5 No. 17 at Springfield (Ohio) Country Club. Ohio State junior Max Moldovan parred the hole, putting Schaake in next week’s Open at Los Angeles Country Club. It starts June 15.

“I was kind of in focus mode,” Schaake said on Golf Channel. “Now I’m disbelief a little bit.”

Schaake shot 7-under-par 133 over the 36 scheduled holes to join a 3-for-2 playoff for the last two of the five qualifying spots at the 75-player event that included several PGA Tour players.

PGA Tour member Dylan Wu birdied the first playoff hole to advance, leaving Schaake and Ohio State junior Max Moldovan to compete for the other spot since both parred the first extra hole. They matched scores for another six holes, getting to No. 17 in twilight.

Schaake went the 44 holes without a caddie, using a push cart to move his clubs.

Schaake, from Omaha, Neb., was on Iowa’s team from 2016 to 2021. He was the Big Ten’s Men’s Golf Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021.

“It’s a dream to play in the U.S. Open,” he said.

Alex’s brother, Carson Schaake, qualified for the 2021 Open. He missed the 36-hole cut. He also is a former Hawkeye golfer.

Alex Schaake, 25, advanced to the Open’s final qualifying by birdieing his final three holes in the local qualifier at Omaha Country Club last month.