SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University sophomore Cory Mehl is one step away from playing in the 2010 U.S. Open Championship, which will be held June 17-20 at Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links. Mehl played through rainy and windy conditions to place second overall at the U.S. Open local qualifier on the difficult Half Moon Bay Golf Links May 17 to advance into the sectional finals.

"It was a great experience to play alongside professional players and do well," said Mehl, who posted a 3-over par 74, just one shot off the lead in the 90-player field. It marks the second straight year Mehl has placed among the leaders to advance through the Half Moon Bay qualifier. "Playing last year helped me quite a bit. I wasn't intimidated at all by any outside influences. I just played my game and it added up for me at the end."

Mehl, a native of Seattle, Washington, and an All-West Coast Conference golfer at SCU will play in a 36-hole sectional qualifier at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento on Monday, June 7 for a chance to earn his spot in the Open field.

"I'll go up and practice there Saturday and my dad will be there to caddie for me," said Mehl. "It's just a great opportunity for me. It will be fun."

More than 7,000 golfers played in qualifying tournaments at 110 courses throughout the country. The sectional final in Sacramento is one of 13 national sites to host final round qualifiers June 7.