With a berth in the 2015 U.S. Open Championship golf tournament at Chambers Bay on the line, Bellevue resident Cheng-Tsung Pan came through in the clutch.

Pan, who golfed for the University of Washington from 2011 through 2015, captured first place on June 8 at the USGA Sectional at Tumble Creek Golf Course near Cle Elum to qualify for the U.S. Open. Pan shot a combined 138 during the two rounds of play. He shot a 69 in the first round and a 69 in the second round. Scottsdale resident Richard Lee and Lakewood’s Troy Kelly collected the two final spots at the U.S. Open, qualifying with identical scores of 139. Only three of the 50 golfers in attendance at the USGA Sectional at Tumble Creek punched their tickets to the U.S. Open. The tournament will take place from June 18 through June 21 at Chambers Bay in University Place.

Chambers Bay is just a short 45-mile trek from the University of Washington campus where Pan starred during his collegiate years. Not many golfers have the opportunity to compete on the grand stage, let alone in the state they reside in just an hour drive from their home. Pan doesn’t have to board a plane and will get to sleep in the friendly confines of his own residence while the majority of competitors will make the trip from all over the world for arguably the most coveted golf tournament of the calendar year. That advantage is something that can’t be understated or denied.

When Pan tees off in just six days on the shores of the Puget Sound it will be an opportunity of a lifetime. It may be Pan’s third appearance in the U.S. Open, but this appearance by far figures to be the most memorable tournament of his life on the links at this juncture. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of the best young golfers in the world rises to the occasion.