Palm Beach County will be well represented in the upcoming 126th U.S. Open golf tournament, set for June 18-21 at the Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. This includes well-known players such as Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Daniel Berger, Gary Woodland and Wellington native Brooks Koepka. In addition to them, one of youngest players in the field of 156 golfers will be a teenager from the western communities — 17-year-old Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach.
Puebla, a homeschooler, earned his way into the U.S. Open field by being a co-medalist at the 36-hole U.S. Open sectional qualifier held on the East Course at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, June 8. Puebla recorded scores of 69-68 (137; seven-under-par). He was the co-medalist alongside veteran PGA Tour player Ben Silverman of Canada. The other two golfers who earned spots at the BallenIsles qualifier were amateurs — Ryder Cowan from Edmond, Oklahoma, and Miles Russell from Jacksonville Beach.
The day of the U.S. Open sectional at BallenIsles has been dubbed the “Longest Day in Golf” because there were 10 U.S. Open sectional qualifiers held that day in North America — nine in the U.S. and one in Canada. At the BallenIsles qualifier, Puebla was one of 73 golfers chasing one of four slots awarded that day.
In the closing holes of his second-round 68 at BallenIsles, he was paying attention to the scoreboard.
“For an event like that, I was checking the scores over the last few holes,” Puebla said.
Puebla earned his way to the sectional qualifier by winning the USGA’s local qualifier at the Moorings at Hawk’s Nest in Vero Beach on May 6. His winning score that day was a six-under-par round of 66.
In addition to qualifying for his first U.S. Open, Puebla is also a first-year member of U.S. National Junior Team, and he’s currently ranked second in the Rolex American Junior Golf Association rankings. He has also committed to attending the University of Florida and playing for the Gators’ men’s golf team, beginning in the 2027-28 academic year.
Prominent golfers who competed in the BallenIsles qualifier who did not earn a spot in the U.S. Open were nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar, three-time European Tour winner Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Korn Ferry Tour professional Ben Taylor, current University of Florida golfer and 2026 Second-Team All-SEC selection Luke Poulter (son European Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter), and Curtis Thompson (older brother of LPGA Tour superstar Lexi Thompson).
As for his U.S. Open expectations, while Puebla would love to make the cut and be in the hunt for first place on Sunday, June 21, he has realistic expectations.
“Just making it into the field for the U.S. Open is a great opportunity,” he said. “I want to enjoy the competitive experience and, hopefully, make the [36-hole] cut.”
