The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun May 19, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 10 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
Bluffton Business Named South Carolina Small Business of the Year 8A
Bluffton’s Swanson, Bradshaw move on in U.S. Open qualifying By Sasha Sweeney Editor
Bluffton golfers Andrew Swanson and Sage Bradshaw advanced to final qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open after posting low rounds at a local qualifier at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort. Swanson, a recent Clemson graduate, finished second with a 5-under-par 67. Bradshaw, a high school senior committed to Wake Forest, placed third with a 4-under 68. Jackson Van Paris fired a 6 under par 66 to earn medalist honors. Final qualifying will be held at 13 sites across the United States on May 18, May 25, and June 8. Players who advance from those events will earn spots in the 2026 U.S. Open, scheduled for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. Fewer than 10% of the more than 10,000 entrants in U.S. Open qualifying advance through to the final qualifying round. For Swanson, the result marked another step after completing his college career. “It is nice to see the hard work paying off that I have made since graduating from Clemson,” Swanson said. “Making it to U.S. Open final qualifying gives me the opportunity to have one great day and then I can play in one of the biggest events in pro golf. It’s awesome to have an opportunity like that.”
Swanson said his putting was the strongest part of his game during the round. “I was putting it really well and had a great feel for the greens,” he said. “Anytime that I wasn’t in a great position my putter bailed me out.” He pointed to a 25-foot bogey putt on the seventh hole as a key moment. “I was 3 under through 6 and making that putt helped me keep momentum going,” Swanson said. “I played the next 3 holes 2 under so I was able to bounce back and put myself in a great position going into the last 8 holes.” Swanson said college golf helped prepare him for the pressure of qualifying. “College golf is great prep since you play in some of the toughest conditions
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and against a lot of the best players in the world,” he said. “What is great about college golf is that even if you aren’t having a great week every shot can count and make a difference for the team. It builds grit and helps work through adversity which can always come in handy at any event.” Bradshaw said advancing in qualifying is another opportunity created through golf. “Golf has opened up a lot of unique opportunities for me in the last couple of years and this is another one that I can test my game with,” Bradshaw said. He said players are constantly chasing lower scores during qualifying rounds. “There are so many great players in these qualifiers that you truly never feel secure in a score but always chasing another birdie,” he said. Bradshaw said competing against strong fields should help as he prepares to begin his college career at Wake Forest. “It honestly just like playing any event with a great field so just putting myself under pressure against great players is a good test,” Bradshaw said. He also said he has received support from family, coaches and teammates since advancing. “Over the years I’ve been incredibly blessed to have a lot of people support me and this is no different,” Bradshaw said. “I’ve received a lot of encouraging messages as I prepare for sectional qualifying.”
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