OAKMONT, Pa. — Chances are Philip Barbaree Jr., a native of Louisiana, isn’t actually a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. But when the 26-year-old journeyman pro became a sentimental favorite among locals this weekend at Oakmont Country Club, he figured he might as well thank the crowds for their moral support.
As he finished out on the 18th green Sunday during the final round of the U.S. Open, Barbaree broke out a custom-made Pirates jersey, complete with his last name and the number 25, garnering some extra applause for the effort.
One of the surprise fan favorites this week!
Rocking that slick @Pirates #25, Philip Barbaree finishes his championship with a hug from his wife. pic.twitter.com/Mfsakjr51b
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 15, 2025
A former U.S. Junior Amateur champion who current plays on the PGA Tour Americas, Barbaree was one of 16 players who advanced through local and final qualifying to get into the field at Oakmont. It was just the eight PGA Tour/Korn Ferry Tour event he had ever played, having yet to make a cut in any previous start.
That’s what made Barbaree’s story so special when he returned to Oakmont on Saturday morning to finish up his second round and holed a five-foot par putt to make the cut on the number at seven over. Friends and family in attendance let out a large cheer, and a teary Barbaree gave a big hug to his wife/caddie Chloe.
https://twitter.com/GolfDigest/status/1933913559257281015
“Probably a lot of pent-up emotion and stress from sleeping last night or not sleeping last night,” Barbaree said when asked about the scene. “Just knowing that I pretty much had to come out and make par on one of the hardest holes on the course, and then to actually do it, that’s what you practice for, that’s what you care about. To be able to pull off a shot like that when it matters, and then with her on the bag, it’s special.”
By advancing to the weekend, Barbaree not only had the chance at one of the biggest paydays of his pro career but also earned an exemption out of the first stage of PGA Tour Q School later this year.
The relief of making the cut waned a bit over the weekend, Barbaree shooting rounds of 75 and 82 to wind up finishing in 66th place and claim $41,254. Considering he’s earned $16,481 in six PGA Tour Americas starts this season, it’s a nice payday.
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This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
