UNF golf alum Robbie Higgins to compete in U.S. Open Championship

As golf fans around the world await the start of the 126th U.S. Open Championship on June 18, the University of North Florida campus community is excited to cheer on fellow Osprey Robbie Higgins.

Higgins was announced as a qualifier last week. En route to qualifying, he completed 36 holes at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Georgia, recording 14 birdies and an eagle to finish tied for fourth in a field of 78 players. He is one of 43 golfers around the world who qualified for the championship field.

The Bradenton, Florida, native, who began playing golf at age three, says competing in the tournament is a dream come true.

"I feel like I've been making nice progress in my career, and playing in the U.S. Open is icing on the cake," said Higgins. "It's my first major and something I always dreamed about."

Competing in this year's U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club serves as somewhat of a homecoming for Higgins, as his family hails from New York and many will be in attendance to cheer him on.

During his tenure at UNF from 2020 to 2024, Higgins amassed numerous accolades, including winning the Medalist Crown at the 2022 Windon Memorial Classic hosted by Northwestern University and the 2024 Sea Best Invitational hosted by Jacksonville University. He also earned multiple All-ASUN Conference honors and helped UNF men's golf win the 2022 ASUN Championship.

In addition to his success on the golf course, he excelled academically, making the ASUN Academic Honor Roll and earning a bachelor's degree in sport management.

Higgins says he's grateful for the mentorship and support he received from his coaches and teammates in the UNF golf program, including Scott Schroeder, director of golf.

"Coach Schroeder and the assistant coaches were pivotal in my development as a person and as a player," he said. "The UNF golf program looks at you as a human being and that's something I always appreciated."

Since making his professional debut in 2024, Higgins has competed on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA TOUR Americas. He becomes the third Osprey in the men's golf program's history to qualify for the U.S. Open.

As he prepares to contend in one of golf's most prestigious championships, Higgins said he is up for the challenge.

"I'm looking forward to embracing the challenge and competing as hard as I can."

Learn more about Higgins and view the U.S. Open broadcast schedule.

The 2026 U.S. Open takes place from June 18-21 at the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, with practice rounds held from June 15-17.