Men's Golf | May 16, 2016

HELLERTOWN, Pa. - La Salle's P.J. Acierno, who recently finished his junior season for the Explorers, shot a four-over par 75 to finish fourth at the U.S. Open Local Qualifier on Monday at Silver Creek Country Club to advance to Sectional Qualifying. He is one step closer to competing in the U.S. Open against the best players in the world at Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh on June 16-19.

He becomes the second La Salle golfer in three years to advance to the U.S. Open Sectional Qualifier, joining alum Michael Johnson, who advanced in 2014.

"It was the same course as the Lafayette Invitational where I played well and with almost identical conditions," Acierno said. "So I was well prepared."

Acierno did more than play well at Silver Creek on April 4. He won the tournament by shooting a pair of 73s for his second win of the season.

On Monday, it was another windy day which kept each of the 90 players over par.

"It was nice to get back into tournament golf since I haven't played much since A-10s and wasn't hitting the ball too well in the beginning of the round." Acierno said. "But I was able to roll some putts in throughout the day."

After a bogey on the first hole, he recorded par on the next six before a birdie on the par three, eighth hole brought him back to even. He had bogeys on his next two holes, but a birdie-par-birdie stretch put Acierno at even once again. The rising senior made bogeys on four of his final five holes in a tough stretch of holes at Silver Creek.

Acierno's first choice for Sectional Qualifying is Canoe Brook Country Club on Monday, June 6.

The Sectional Qualifier is played over 36 holes in one day and is a test of skill and endurance, with only a handful of available spots at each site. The number of qualifying spots is determined by the quality and quantity of the field at each location. The qualifiers will advance to Oakmont to compete for the U.S. Open from June 16-19.

Acierno recently concluded one of the top seasons in program history, winning two events and setting a new 18-hole program record with a 65 at Rutgers. He averaged 74.21 strokes/round in 2015-16.