Meet the 2024 U.S. Beginner semifinalists at Hazeltine

CHASKA, Minn. — After 5 days of golf, 4 names stay and we all know just one factor for sure: the U.S. Beginner remaining shall be an American versus a Spaniard.

As for which gamers will signify these nations, that’s what now we have Saturday’s semifinals to determine, as back-to-back matches at 2 p.m. and a couple of:15 p.m. ET at Hazeltine Nationwide Golf Membership will resolve who performs in Sunday’s remaining. On one facet of the bracket are two Individuals, and on the opposite are two gamers representing Spain.

There’s quite a bit on the road now too. The U.S. Beginner winner receives an exemption into the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, however the winner and runner-up obtain invitations to the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont and a possible one to the 2025 Masters. As you may think, that shall be on gamers’ minds as an added bonus for successful on Saturday.

The best way to watch the 2024 U.S. Beginner Saturday

The semifinals of the U.S. Beginner start at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday. The motion shall be broadcast on Golf Channel from 3-6 p.m. ET.

2024 U.S. Beginner semifinal matchups (ET)

2 p.m. — Noah Kent, Naples, Fla. (Age: 19 / Rank: 560) vs. Jackson Buchanan, Dacula, Ga. (Age: 22 / Rank: 17)

Noah Kent birdied the primary 4 holes versus Ethan Fang and made a fifth birdie on the eighth gap, going 4 up on the flip. He additionally holed out for eagle on 11 en path to his 3-and-2 win.

Whereas Kent is the lowest-ranked participant within the area, the rising Iowa sophomore has dominated since Tuesday. He shot 77 on Monday, however he fired a six-under 64 at Chaska City Course on Tuesday — 13 strokes higher than the day past — to advance to match play. He hasn’t slowed down. He’s gained two different matches 4 and a couple of and has but to play the 18th gap.

Buchanan, nevertheless, gained’t be simple to beat. The rising senior at Illinois — final 12 months’s Massive Ten Participant of the 12 months — is ranked seventeenth on the planet and took down top-ranked Luke Clanton within the Spherical of 32. Buchanan beat Notre Dame’s Jacob Modleski 4 and three on Friday.

2:15 p.m. — Jose Luis Ballester, Spain (Age: 20 / Rank: 10) vs. Luis Masaveu, Spain (Age: 21 / Rank: 23)

Jose Luis Ballester and Luis Masaveu will face off within the second of Saturday’s two matches, and they’re already fairly conversant in one another’s recreation. They’ve recognized one another for practically a decade and have gotten shut over the previous few years whereas taking part in with the Spanish Nationwide Staff and on different European squads.

“I want I may face him within the remaining, however simply the truth that we’re going to be competing for a spot within the remaining on the U.S. Beginner is simply superb,” Ballester stated.

Ballester, the Tenth-ranked beginner on the planet, is a rising senior at Arizona State and earned honorable point out All-American honors in every of his first two seasons. On Friday he beat Bobby Massa 3 and 1, the second straight day he’s despatched house a mid-am from match play.

Masaveu is the one non-collegiate participant within the semis however retains a busy schedule abroad. He made the lower on the Open Championship final month and completed 78th. He beat Brendan Valdes 3 and a couple of on Friday.

Josh Berhow

Golf.com Editor

As GOLF.com’s managing editor, Berhow handles the day-to-day and long-term planning of one of many sport’s most-read information and repair web sites. He spends most of his days writing, enhancing, planning and questioning if he’ll ever break 80. Earlier than becoming a member of GOLF.com in 2015, he labored at newspapers in Minnesota and Iowa. A graduate of Minnesota State College in Mankato, Minn., he resides within the Twin Cities along with his spouse and two youngsters. You possibly can attain him at joshua_berhow@golf.com.