Kansas golfer wins U.S. Open Championship qualifier at Illini Country Club in Springfield

Sam Stevens had five birdies and carded a 4-under-par 67 to win Springfield's U.S. Open qualifier Monday at Illini Country Club.

Stevens, of Eastborough, Kansas, shot a 3-under on the front nine with birdies on hole Nos. 1, 3 and 9. On the back nine, he birdied Nos. 11 and 15 and had his only bogey on No. 14. 

Stevens and four other qualifiers will advance to the 36-hole final qualifying round set between May 23 and June 6. 

Korn Ferry Tour:Why this pro golf tournament expects to grow even more in Springfield

Charles Jahn, of Sperry, Iowa, shot a 3-over 68 to finish second. He made the turn at 1-under with three birdied and two bogeys but had a clean card on the back nine with two birdies. 

Mahomet’s Luke Gannon tied with Travis Smyth, of Sydney, Australia, at 2-under 69. Gannon eagled the 508-yard, par-5 No. 13. He also had two birdies and two bogeys while Smyth also eagled No. 13 and recorded four birdies and four bogeys. 

Andreas Nielsen, of Nashville, Tennessee took the final qualifying spot with a 1-under. Nielsen, originally from Ikast, Denmark, tied with two golfers, Chris Erwin, of Gallatin, Tennessee, and Charleston’s Dustin Sloat. Erwin and Sloat were designated as alternates for the final qualifying round. 

IHSA golf:Jacksonville duo leads Springfield area on final day of state finals

It was the 43rd consecutive U.S. Open qualifier hosted by Illini Country Club, the longest consecutive run with a tournament. There were 77 golfers vying for one of the top-five spots.  

The 122nd U.S. Open Championship will be played at The Country Club, in Brookline, Massachusetts.