Japan has been good to Zimbabwe’s star golfer Scott Vincent. Three victories on the main tour there – two in 2021 and another the following year – helped launched his career after a string of runner-up results since turning professional in 2017.

Earlier this week, on Monday, the Land of the Rising Sun delivered once again. He successfully negotiated a US Open Final Stage qualifier at Tarao Country Club, Shiga Prefecture. Three places were up for grabs, and he tied first with the country’s rising star Yuta Sugiura.

It means that in just three weeks he will make his debut in the US Open – which is being played at Oakmont Country Club, the second week of June. It will also be only the second time he has played in a Major, and the 33-year-old is thrilled to be adding another feather to his cap.

“It’s always been a goal, of course, you know, you want to play with the best in the world,” said Vincent, after moving into contention at the Kolon Korea Open today following a second round four-under-par 67.

“You want to play the US Open, you know, they say it’s the hardest tournament in golf – they tend to set up just that way. What a challenge it’s going to be. Really looking forward to just trying to figure it out, you know, put those puzzle pieces together, and, hopefully it comes right, but regardless, you know, what an amazing opportunity.”

Vincent pictured winning the Mizuno Open in 2022, which earned him a place in The Open, his first Major. Picture by Toru Hanai/R&A via Getty Images.

He first played in a Major three years ago at The Open. He booked his ticket for that thanks to winning the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in Japan, at the end of May, the week before claiming the International Series England, his sole win to date on the Asian Tour.

The fact that this week’s course, La Vie Est Belle, has been set up like a US Open venue – it’s long, has very narrow fairways and fast greens – could be timely.

He said: “Playing this course definitely helps. Yeah, I think I just got to go and see it [Oakmont]. That’s the plan. I’m trying to get there the week before and take a look at it, then go back and prepare and then come on back.”

He shot back-to-back 67s on Monday to qualify on 10 under – a perfect early birthday present as he turned 33 the following day.

The fine result comes off the back of a strong start to the season. Surprisingly, he missed the cut in the International Series Japan presented by Moutai at the start of this month, but he has impressed with top-10s in the Philippines and India. He was also in the hunt in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, also here in Korea, three weeks ago before finishing in a tie for 12^th.

A week after winning the Mizuno Open in Japan he claimed the International Series England.

He explains: “It [form] just comes and goes. But I think overall, you know, the picture is feeling more positive. It feels like we’re heading in the right direction, always making little tweaks here and there, and just trying to figure out what’s going to work well. And I like where it’s heading. You know, it doesn’t always perform, but I like the direction, and so I’m just going to stick with it.”

Vincent’s qualification for the US’s National Open is particularly significant as he has lived in the States for 12 years and his wife Kelsey is American. He also played college golf at Virgina Tech, between 2011 and 2014. He currently lives between places in Florida, for golf, and Colorado, for family – he explains.

He’s very well positioned heading into the weekend here at Korea’s flagship event, just five behind the leader Songgyu Yoo from Korea.

A victory here would complete a unique double in the space of a week for Vincent as first place brings with it a place in The Open in July – as the tournament is part of Open Qualifying Series. The Korea Open, the US Open and The Open hat-trick is on!