FAR HILLS, N.J. -- The United States Golf Association has accepted a record 9,086 entries for the 2009 U.S. Open, to be played June 18-21 at Bethpage State Park's Black Course in Farmingdale, N.Y., including those from the 63 golfers who are currently fully exempt into the field.

The previous record for entries was 9,048 for the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.

"This is truly wonderful news," said Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of Rules and Competitions. "One of the very positive things we are seeing is increased participation of quality foreign players in the qualifying process. We have always had a healthy representation of American players, thanks in no small part to our strong relationship with the PGA Tour. Now, we are seeing greater representation of foreign players due to our expanded ties with the European and various Asian tours. Such strong worldwide participation in the U.S. Open supports our efforts to present the very best championship in golf."

Overall, the USGA received entries from golfers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 71 foreign countries, including 783 applicants with foreign addresses or preferred foreign addresses.

Seven past champions are already fully exempt from having to qualify for the upcoming championship. They are: Angel Cabrera (2007); Michael Campbell (2005); Ernie Els (1994, 1997); Jim Furyk (2003); Retief Goosen (2001, 2004); Geoff Ogilvy (2006); and Tiger Woods (2000, 2002, 2008). A U.S. Open champion receives a full exemption into the field for the next 10 years.

Ninety-three percent of the total entries were received online, including 610 on the last day applications were accepted (April 29). The USGA received 119 entries online in the final hour. Michael Atkeison, a 43-year-old amateur from Somerville, Tenn., submitted his entry online at 4:59:55 p.m., just five seconds before the official deadline of 5 p.m. EDT. Jacob Kline, a 36-year-old amateur from Yellow Springs, Ohio, was the first entrant on March 2.

The youngest golfer to enter was 13-year-old Matthew Lowe of Farmingdale, N.Y, who lists Bethpage State Park as his home club. The oldest applicant, for the fourth consecutive year, was 78-year-old Ordean Olson of Hollywood, Fla., who turns 79 before the U.S. Open. To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index® no higher than 1.4, or be a professional.

Local qualifying, played over 18 holes at 112 sites, runs from May 6-25.

Sectional qualifying, played over 36 holes, will be conducted at two international sites (Japan and England) on May 25 and 13 sites in the United States on June 8. A total of 175 applicants chose an international site (42 Japan, 133 England). It is the fifth consecutive year that the USGA has offered these two international sectional qualifiers.

The number of fully exempt golfers will increase with the inclusion of the top 50 players from the World Golf Rankings, the top 10 money leaders on the 2009 PGA Tour and the top five money leaders on the 2009 European PGA Tour as of May 25. The winner of The Players Championship (May 7-10) also receives an exemption, as does any multiple winner of a PGA Tour co-sponsored event whose victories are considered official from June 2, 2008, through June 14, 2009.

More information about the U.S. Open before, during and after the championship can be found at www.USOPEN.com.

About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world's golfers and golf courses.

The Association's most visible role is played out each season in conducting 13 national championships, including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open. Ten USGA national championships are exclusively for amateurs, and include the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Women's Amateur.

The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System®, celebrates the history of the game, and administers an ongoing "For the Good of the Game" grants program, which has allocated more than $63 million over 12 years to successful programs that bring the game's values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.

Contact: Pete Kowalski
Manager, Championship Media Relations
908-234-2300
pkowalski@usga.org