Lakewood, Washington, United States: Hong Kong, China National Team player Alexander Yang has created a slice of golfing history by qualifying for the 123rd US Open.

Defying the odds, Yang fired rounds of 72 and 67 for a three-under-par 139 total in the 36-hole qualifier at Tacoma Country & Golf Club.

With just two spots on offer in the 54-strong field, Yang had the distinction of finishing tied for first place alongside American professional Jesse Schutte.

In so doing he secured a starting spot at the Los Angeles Country Club’s North Course from June 15-18 – ensuring he’ll become the first male golfer from Hong Kong to line-up in a Major championship.

“I’m incredibly happy,” the Stanford University student was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. “It’s been a childhood dream to play in Majors among the best in the world and it’s a surreal feeling to do so.

“The journey to get here is the part I appreciate the most. It’s very validating to see hard work pay off.”

Danny Lai, the Hong Kong Golf Association’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It has been a wonderful year for Hong Kong golf, seeing players maturing.

“Taichi Kho won the World City Championship at Fanling and qualified for The Open (at Royal Liverpool next month), Sophie Han came third in the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific, Arianna Lau won the APGC Junior Championship, and now Alex has qualified for the US Open.

“It shows that the Golf Association’s development programme is heading in the right direction."

Currently 460th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Yang has competed in the past two editions of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.

In 2021 he tied for 13th place in Dubai but missed the half-way cut at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club last year.