SUMMIT, N.J. –  Yale men's golf standout and former MGA Player of the Year James Nicholas '19 qualified for the 125th U.S. Open Championship on Monday, June 2 at Canoe Brook Country Club, earning medalist honors with an impressive 36-hole performance.

Nicholas shot rounds of 67 and 68 on the South and North Courses, respectively, finishing at 7-under par to top the field. His effort secured a spot in the field at Oakmont, where he will make his U.S. Open debut.

In his second round, the Korn Ferry Tour member carded four birdies over a five-hole span (Nos. 8–12) to reach 7-under. He added another birdie at the par-4 17th and, despite a bogey on 18, maintained his lead to claim top honors.

"My game has been trending year over year," said Nicholas, the 2017 MGA Player of the Year. "I have had this circled on my calendar since I was 15 years old."

"The MGA means so much to me. It's the reason I am where I am. It prepared me in a way that I wouldn't have been otherwise. To come back here and qualify for the U.S. Open at an MGA site—at Canoe Brook—is a dream come true."

Nicholas at Yale

• Recruited to play both football and golf at Yale, Nicholas made the full-time switch to golf during his sophomore year and became one of the most decorated players in program history:
• Two-time Ivy League Player of the Year (2018, 2019)
• Two-time First Team All-Ivy selection
• Ivy League Championship medalist in 2019
• Qualified for both the NCAA Stanford Regional (senior year) and Columbus Regional
• PING All-East Region selection (junior and senior years)
• Srixon/Cleveland Golf Scholar All-American for his academic and athletic excellence