UNIVERSITY PLACE, Washington – Robbie Ziegler, at age 35, continues the grind that is amateur golf.

On Wednesday, July 30 at Chambers Bay Golf Course, Ziegler was knocking on the door again at the U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying event.

With the course rating at 75.0 and playing at 7,276 yards, Ziegler grinded on the back nine with three birdies, to shoot an even par 71, enough to get him into a 4 for 2 playoff. Fellow Portland natives Landon Banks and Jack Dukeminier also got into the playoff.

Ziegler shot his approach first on the first playoff hole, on hole #1 usually a par 5 but was a par 4 for qualifying to about 50 feet. He putts past the hole to about 15 feet and after everyone else hits their third shots closer, Ziegler holes out a roughly 15 foot putt to save par, putting the pressure on the others in the playoff to make to continue.

“Basically, all 4 of us hit good drives. Pin is as far back as it can be,” Ziegler said. “We all had long irons in. I hit in first and missed the green right, but fine and can putt it 50 or more feet away. Dukeminier hits a good shot to the back fringe, like 20 feet away. Landon also hits a great iron shot to like 25 feet pin high.

Walker Lamb hit in the right bunker pin high. I go first and putt it by like 15 feet. Lamb hits a bunker shot to like 8 feet. Landon hits it by like 5 feet. Duke leaves his 4 or 5 feet short. I’m out, go first and make the 15-footer for par. Lamb misses after me, then Landon misses his and Dukeminier makes his.”

Dukeminier made his par putt to advance alongside Ziegler.

Ziegler qualified for his 8^th U.S. Amateur since 2011 and 14^th USGA event. Zielger attended Canby High School before moving on to play at Oregon.

“Chambers Bay was playing pretty hard especially for a 35 year old who keeps getting shorter and shorter,” Ziegler said. “Played nearly 7300 yards with some wind at sea level. Tough. Most of the pin locations were in spots where it was hard to access with longer irons coming in. A lot of shots to the fat side of greens and lag putting.

“I indeed went into a 4 for 2 playoff. Landon is a good pal and Dukeminier and I were on the same team at the University of Oregon golf team. Very unique to be in a USGA playoff with two of your friends.”

Dukeminier, who played golf at the University of Oregon, is moving on to his 10th USGA event, and sixth U.S. Amateur. Dukeminier went to Sheldon High School.

“Definitely a bit nervous, but I knew the hole was hard (500+ yard par 4) so I felt like a par gave me a great chance,” Dukeminier said. “Hit a couple really nice shots in there, and two putted and was fortunate a couple guys made some mistakes. Feels awesome to be back. You never know if you’re ever gonna make one again so I’ll cherish this for sure.”

Dukeminier played in the U.S. Amateur in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2022.

Ziegler will join his U.S. Amateur Four-Ball partner and fellow Oregon Duck, Zach Foushee, at the U.S. Amateur August 11-17 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California.

Foushee won the Oregon Amateur Championship for the third time in a row in 2025 to earn his fifth appearance in the U.S. Amateur.

“Zach and I have now played in 3 of the same U.S. Amateur’s together. 2016, 2022, and 2024,” Ziegler said. “Zach is a good friend so anytime you play in your national open and can share the experience with a buddy it makes it that much more enjoyable.”

Foushee and Ziegler tied the 36 hole scoring record (126) at the 2024 U.S. Amateur Four Ball as they were Medalists at Philly Cricket Club. They lost in the Round of 16 in 2024, and made it to the quarterfinals in 2025.

“It’s incredible what he’s done. I believe its his 14^th (USGA event). We played at Oakland Hills, Ridgewood, and Hazeltine.” Foushee said.

The upcoming Championship will be the fourth time the Oregon teammates and friends have played in the U.S. Amateur.

“Robbie has always been a great player. But he may be at his peak right now. Proud of him.” Oregon Ducks men’s golf coach Casey Martin said.

Ziegler said his favorite U.S. Amateur memory was playing Paul Dunne in 2015 in the round of 64.

“I took him to the last hole. It was even to play with 3 holes left. He was the dude that slept on the lead (as an amateur) going into the final round in the 2015 Open Championship at St Andrews, like a month prior.” Ziegler said.