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Palm Desert junior falls just short in U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta

larry bohannan, palm springs desert sun
·2 min read
Landon Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, sinks a birdie putt on the first hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024. (Credit: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)
Landon Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, sinks a birdie putt on the first hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024. (Credit: Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun)

Landon Breisch played well in a U.S. Open qualifying tournament at Andalusia Country Club in La Quinta on Tuesday, but not quite good enough.

Breisch, a 17-year-old junior at Palm Desert High School, rallied from a slow start to post a 2-under 70 in the qualifier. That tied Breisch for seventh, two shots out of an automatic qualifying berth for sectional qualifying next month.

“Plenty of fairways and greens, hitting it close on every hole,” Breisch said. “I just didn’t get any putts to drop.”

More: Six Palm Desert golfers shoot under par to advance in CIF regional

USC golfer Jose Antonio Safa of Mexico and UCLA golfer Mason Greene of Tustin shared medalist honors at 5-under 67 on a day of little wind and moderate temperatures. Donald Kay of San Diego, amateur Billy Davis of Spring Valley and amateur Stephen Deutsch of Chula Vista tied for third at 68 to close out the five automatic berths into sectional play.

Amateur Caden McMackin of Irvine was alone at 69 for sixth place and the first alternate position from the 89-player field. Seven players, including Breisch, tied for seventh at 70 and a playoff for the second alternate spot, with the spot going to amateur Brandon Fahrny.

Breisch said he had hoped to get to 4-under for the day, but a struggle on his opening nine holes hurt him.

“I was 2-over through the front (actually the back nine for Breisch), and I made a couple of birdies on the first three of the next nine,” he said. “I got back to even, and I felt like the last six holes I put it 10 feet basically every time I just couldn't make a putt until the last hole.”

Breisch closed with an eagle on the par-5 No. 9.

Caden Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, tees off on the 10th hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.
Caden Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, tees off on the 10th hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.

Breisch was one of three Palm Desert High School players in the Andalusia field. His twin brother Caden stumbled for a 4-over score through his first four holes, but rallied to post a 74. Max Margolis of the Aztecs shot 73.

Golfers who advanced from the qualifier will play in sectional qualifying at 10 locations throughout the country on June 3. The U.S. Open will be played June 16-19 at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

Landon Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, hits an approach shot on the 1st hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.
Landon Breisch, who plays for Palm Desert High School, hits an approach shot on the 1st hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.
Max Margolis, who plays for Palm Desert High School, tees off on the 10th hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.
Max Margolis, who plays for Palm Desert High School, tees off on the 10th hole at Andalusia during the U.S. Open local qualifier in La Quinta, Calif., May 7, 2024.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Five advance from Open qualifier in La Quinta, local high school player just misses