U.S. Open: Harry Higgs survives massive playoff, makes Pinehurst field
With two spots on the line for the U.S. Open, Harry Higgs pulled through another playoff to secure his spot at Pinehurst.
The lore of Harry Higgs continues. After winning back-to-back playoff Korn Ferry Tour events, the big man has secured his spot in the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. It will be his first start at this major championship.
Harry Higgs is joining Webb Simpson out of the Durham, N.C., U.S. Open Qualifier. He shot a 70-67 on Golf’s Longest Day to get into a seven-man playoff.
There were only seven total spots up for grabs at this location, so he used his playoff experience and, once again, won in extra holes.
“I’m elated, but the biggest one is pure exhaustion! It’s the longest day in golf and to go 38 of them was a lot,” Higgs said to NBC Sports. “Exhausted but super excited for what’s to come a week from today.”
"I'm elated, but the biggest one is just pure exhaustion! It's the longest day in golf and to go 38 of them was a lot."
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 4, 2024
It was a tough day, but one well worth it for @harryhiggs1991. pic.twitter.com/ICWyHCjsRy
Higgs made two birdies on the playoff holes to snag one of the two spots. Carter Jenkins went birdie-par to take the second one.
Higgs is on quite the run, but it has not been the easiest few years for him.
.@harryhiggs1991, so hot right now.
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2024
He'll be making his U.S. Open debut at @PinehurstResort after going birdie-birdie in the playoff in Durham. pic.twitter.com/XUKPVyMcNu
He dropped to 140th in the Official World Golf Rankings, and his best finish on the PGA Tour came at the Corales Puntacana Championship when he was T43.
Last season, the former SMU golfer had one Top 10, 4 Top 25s and just 13 cuts made. He missed 18 weekends. The last time he had more cuts made than missed was the 2019-2020 season. Higgs finished runner-up at the Bermuda Championship and tallied two Top 10s and 7 Top 25s.
This hot streak is a long time coming for the fan-favorite player.
“There were also some dark moments where you maybe a little bit of self-doubt creeps in,” Higgs said. “I focused on the work. I kept working and doing the things that I thought I needed to do to get better. It’s nice to get some results, but I feel like I’m on the right track for years to come.”
From this qualifying location, joining Higgs at Pinehurst are low medalist Frankie Capan III—Higgs beat him at the Visit Knoxville Open in a playoff—Brian Campbell, Sam Bennett, Chesson Hadley, Simpson, and Jenkins.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, be sure to follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.