Lakewood Ranch graduate advances to US Open final qualifier

Parker Severs didn’t waste any time getting started on his post-Lakewood Ranch High golf career.

The 2025 Lakewood Ranch High grad’s last day as a Mustang came on May 6. Two days later, Severs shot a 2-under-par 70 at Waterlefe Golf and River Club and won a six-man playoff to advance past the local qualifying round for the 125th U.S. Open. 

He will next play in the final round of qualifying at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach on June 2.

Though that feat is impressive in itself, how Severs earned his qualifying spot speaks volumes about his potential. 

Playing against an 84-man field that included a majority of veteran golfers with caddies, Severs worked his way around the par-72, 6,869-yard course without a caddie while toting his high school golf bag.

For most of the day, Severs had put himself in position to receive one of the qualifying spots awarded to the golfers with the five lowest scores.

He opened the day with an eagle and a birdie on back-to-back holes, but shot 1-over-par on the following 16 holes, including a critical mistake on the final hole.

Severs striped his tee shot down the middle of the fairway on the par-4 18th hole, but missed his approach shot to the right of the green and hit underneath his chip shot, leaving it on the fringe. After two-putting for bogey, Severs shifted from inside the top five and into a six-way tie for fifth place. 

Photo by Vinnie Portell

If not for a high school career filled with high-pressure moments, Severs might have stumbled.

He wrapped up his high school career this past fall in a tie for second place at the 3A state golf championships with a 70-73 (one-under-par) at Howey-in-the-Hills that helped lead the Mustangs to a second-place finish as a team, and he has had several close calls in other tournaments.

“My playoff record is not too good, I think I’m like 1-2,” Severs said. “I think I have a lot of experience in it though. I lost one in states and then I lost one in the AJGA (American Junior Golf Association), so I feel like I’ve been in this spot a couple of times.” 

Severs took an unconventional approach during the playoff on the par-5, 554-yard 10th hole, using a three-wood instead of a driver because it ‘had been bad all day.’ 

He then hit his best shot of the day, a four iron that traveled 250 yards and settled roughly six feet away from the pin. 

“I saw it carry the bunker, and I was just hoping it was on the green, to be honest,” he said. “My brother (Preston Severs) was over there in the corner and he gave me the thumbs up.” 

Severs drained his six-foot eagle putt and celebrated with a muted fist pump before standing close by to watch the second threesome play the hole. 

Photo by Vinnie Portell

Though there were a couple of close calls, none of his five competitors were able to match Severs’ eagle. 

“This is my first year playing the local (qualifier),” he said. “I knew I had a chance, for like forever now, so I was just like, ‘Let’s sign up for it and give it my all.’ I’m just super excited. This is a great opportunity.”

What made Severs’ playoff heroics even more impressive was his ability to overcome any doubts he had. He said he hadn’t been playing well the past two months. His scores had been going in the wrong direction and doubts had been creeping into his head. 

“I was just a little bit in my head,” he said. “I kind of got stuck in my golf swing and just kind of played through it for a couple months. It’s a hard game. It feels good to mentally get through this round.”

Severs had plenty of time to doubt himself at Waterlefe. He had to sit through a roughly two-hour rain delay with only a handful of holes left to play, and then had to wait another half hour on the driving range to see if his final score would be good enough for a playoff.

Now with a local qualifier under his belt, Severs is hoping to have ‘a really good summer.’ Along with playing in the final round of U.S. Open qualifying, he said he plans to practice a lot and play in some other tournaments to prepare for his next phase of golf.

He will debut as a freshman for the University of Florida men’s golf team later this year. The Gators won the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship in 2023. 

Before that happens, though, he could be playing in one of the most prestigious tournaments the sport has to offer.