DETROIT (5/3/2022) -- Former University of Detroit Mercy men's golfer Kyle Gaines '17 is challenging for a spot in this year's U.S. Open.

Gaines tallied a 3-under 69 at the Muskegon Country Club's local qualifier this past week, tying for third place. With the top-five finish, he moved into one of the final 11 qualifying sites for the U.S. Open. 

The  122nd U.S. Open Championship will be held at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts from June 16-19, 2022.

Local qualifying is conducted over 18 holes at 109 sites in 44 U.S. states and Canada between April 25-May 23. Those players who advance out of local qualifying will join a group of locally exempt players in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes. The final stage will be held in Japan and Canada as well as nine U.S. sites on May 23 and June 6.

To be eligible, a player must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 1.4 or be a professional. 

Gaines was a four-year letterwinner and two-time All-Horizon League selection from 2013-17. He was just the 12th Titan to earn All-League twice in their career and ended his collegiate eligibility fifth all-time in career average with a 75.12 in 100 rounds of golf, which featured 15 top-20 finishes, 12 top-10 efforts and a win. As a senior, he led the squad with a career-best 74.7 average, third in the Horizon League, posting 27 of his 29 rounds in the 70's or 60's, including his last 23 rounds, and had six rounds at par or better. He started all 11 tournaments for the Titans - leading the team six times - with seven top-20 finishes, five top-10 efforts and a victory capturing the Bulldog Florida Invite with a 147 (71-74).