Former Gopher Persons Earns Spot at 115th U.S. Open

  UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. – Former University of Minnesota golfer Josh Persons earned an exemption into the 115th U.S. Open, the USGA announced Monday.

The 31-year-old Fargo, N.D., native finished as an alternate at the Rockville, Md., sectional qualifier and will compete in his first U.S. Open when competition begins Thursday.

Persons turned professional in 2007 and has played in nine events on the Web.com Tour this season, earning more than $6,000 in prize money.

He finished as stroke play medalist at the 2002 Pine to Palm tournament in Detroit Lakes, Minn., and advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2003 U.S. Amateur.