LAS VEGAS (May 13, 2026)–Las Vegas’ Matt Mitchell won Medalist honors at the 2026 U.S. Open Local Qualifier in the Nevada Golf Southern Region. John Fox, Randy Merrill and Mason Snyder (advanced in a three-man playoff) also moved on to the next qualifying stage from the one-day qualifier held May 13, 2026, at CasaBlanca Golf Club in Mesquite.–by Bill Bowman
Garret Kieffer is the first alternate while Jaden Cantafio is the second alternate.
Players who advanced are looking to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Open Championship which will be held June 18-21, 2026, at Shinnecock Hills GC in Southampton, NY.
Mitchell is a Nevada Golf Southern Region member and reigning Player of the Year. Snyder is a Las Vegas resident and member of the UNLV golf team. Merrill is also a Nevada Golf member and Las Vegas resident. Fox is a professional from Utah.
MEDALIST
Matt Mitchell recorded an eagle and three birdies on the front nine en route to a two-under-par round, earning him medalist honors in the 72-player field.
Mitchell, along with the other three qualifiers, now move on to round-two events which will be held at a variety of courses. Mitchell said he thinks he will play in Sacramento, CA, at Del Paso CC on June 8.
Mitchell won six Nevada Golf Southern Region events in 2025 and has one win in 2026. He works in the gaming industry after graduating from UNLV in 2022 where he played baseball for four years.
It was Mitchell’s first time advancing past the first round of U.S. Open qualifying.
“I’ve tried twice now so this was really good to move on,” he said.
Mitchell had to overcome woes with his back as well as the wind to advance.
“The bad back popped up on Monday and I couldn’t practice,” he said. “I was just kind of dinking it around today but I putted great. It should be better in a couple of days. It’s just a tweak and bad timing. Hopefully it will be better by the weekend.”
He said despite the back woes, he kept a positive attitude.
“I’m pretty happy with myself,” he said. “It certainly wasn’t my best scoring round but I was happy with being able to do that. It was probably the worst I have hit the ball in awhile.”
He said for the day he had just a couple of above-average shots. And one of them paid off big-time.
“I slapped one down the middle off the tee (on the par-5 sixth hole),” he said. “And then I hit one really solid shot. I hit a six-iron into the green and stuffed it to about five feet and made the putt. It was just a really good shot.”
Now it’s on to the second stage of qualifying and uncharted territory.
“I really wanted to move on and play in the sectionals,” he said. “It’s close to the big leagues and I’ll get the chance to see some really great players and play against them. There will be a lot of players much better than me in the next round so I’ll just go there and have fun…and maybe have a magical day, who knows.”
2026 U.S. Open First Stage Qualifier-Southern Nevada
QUALIFIERS
Matt Mitchell, 70, Medalist
John Fox, 71
Randy Merrill, 71
Mason Snyder, 72 (Advanced in three-man playoff)
ALTERNATES
Garret Kieffer (first)
Jaden Cantafio (second)
