BLUFFTON, S.C.—Columbia first-year men's golfer Arjun Puri qualified as the second alternate for the United States Open after he placed seventh nationally at the 2018 Carolinas Golf Association U.S. Open Championship Qualifying Competition Monday at the Belfair Plantation West Course on Monday.

Puri shot a two-under-par 35-35-70 and won a five-hole playoff to claim the No. 2 position. Atlanta, Ga.'s Drew Weaver won a two-hole playoff to claim the first alternate spot and Puri defeated Bluffton, S.C.'s Brad Benjamin in five holes for the No. 2 spot.

Seventy-eight players started the event playing for five spots and two alternates to participate in the 2018 United States Open Championship that will be conducted at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. on June 11-17, 2018. For complete information on the event, click here. For full scores, pairings and other information – US Open Qualifying. This USGA Qualifier was conducted by the South Carolina Golf Association on behalf of the Carolinas Golf Association and the United States Golf Association.

Puri concluded his first-year on Columbia men's golf team in late April. He earned the William Terminello Award after he led the Lions with a 75.60 stroke average for the 2017-18 season (1,739 strokes in 23 rounds). Puri also carded two under-par/par rounds on the year and led the Lions in three invitationals during his first year as Lion. Puri also finished a team-best 27th at the 2018 Ivy League Championships.