For the Gazette

The United States Golf Association (USGA) on May 4 announced that it has accepted 3,066 entries for the 43rd U.S. Senior Open Championship, scheduled for Jun. 29-Jul. 2, 2023, at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. 

Thirteen champions are among the 85 players fully exempt from the championship.

Padraig Harrington, the 2022 champion, and 12 other Senior Open champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship. 

They are: Olin Browne (2011), Brad Bryant (2007), Roger Chapman (2012), Fred Funk (2009), Jim Furyk (2021), Bernhard Langer (2010), Jeff Maggert (2015), Colin Montgomerie (2014), Kenny Perry (2013, 2017), Gene Sauers (2016), Steve Stricker (2019) and David Toms (2018).

This year’s entry total surpassed the 3,000 mark for the fourth time and is the second-highest in championship history. 

The record was established in 2002 when 3,101 applied to play.

The USGA accepted entries for the 2023 championship from golfers in 48 U.S. states, including 60 from the host state of Wisconsin, the District of Columbia and 46 foreign countries.

“It is gratifying to see the worldwide interest that thousands of golfers have in competing for both a place in the U.S. Senior Open field and ultimately earning the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy as champion,” said USGA Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer.

The U.S. Senior Open is open to professional golfers and amateurs with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 3.4, who are at least 50 years of age by the start of championship play.