USGA announces that men’s and women’s NCAA champions will now receive U.S. Open exemptions

NCAA champions will have a brand new perk for 2023: a U.S. Open exemption.

The USGA has announced that among its new exemption categories, the men’s and women’s NCAA champions will have a spot in their respective U.S. Open fields, should they remain amateur.

The 2023 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship will be held May 19-24 at Grayhawk Golf Club, in Scottsdale, Arizona. The men’s championship will be held one week later at Grayhawk.

“I think it’s really, really cool,” said 2021 champion Rachel Heck, “especially with how big collegiate golf is getting now that the NCAA Championship is televised.

“The winner can become a fan favorite.”

In addition, the 2023 Latin America Amateur Champion will receive an exemption (must be an amateur) as well as the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour season points leader and the top five players in 2022-23 FedExCup standings as of May 22, 2023, not otherwise exempt.

Mateo Fernandez de Oliveira of Argentina lifts the Latin America Amateur Championship trophy at the beach alongside The Open trophy, The Masters trophy and the US Open trophy following the Final Round of the 2023 Latin America Amateur Championship being played at the Grand Reserve Golf Club in Puerto Rico on Sunday, January 15, 2023. (Photo: LAAC)

The 2023 U.S. Open will be staged June 15-18 at Los Angeles Country Club while Pebble Beach Golf Links will host the women’s championship for the first time July 6-9. Sectional qualifying for the USWO will be held through June 7.