CNN
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For the “math and science nerd,” who once confessed to have left the college golf team, Matt Fogt certainly found the perfect formula when it came to qualifying for this year’s US Open.
Every year, “The Longest Day of Golf” brings many exciting and heartwarming stories. There are thousands of players across the country who soar the temperatures at the start of the American summer with the goal of completing a 36-hole qualifying marathon.
This year there is a shortage of some celebrities, including 2014 runner-up Ricky Fowler and six-time PGA Tour winner Max Houma. However, in 2025, he is currently ranked 2,078th in the world’s amateur rankings, making all the headlines.
Vogt really lives his dreams. He is a full-time dentist who owns his own practice in Indiana, but his mind always belongs to Pennsylvania. He was born in the Pittsburgh area and as a young man, he cadded for six years at the famous Oakmont Country Club, which is holding the 10th US Open this year. It’s a course he grew up to love the game.
“It’s incredible accomplishments and incredible things anywhere in the country. But it’s a very meaningful place to me to go back here and go back to Oakmont. In fact, the city of Pittsburgh means so much to me,” Vogt told CNN Sports.
“To be honest, I’m incredibly grateful. I’m trying to soak it all up, especially with everyone today. It’s incredible so far. I’m trying to find words in all of these conversations, but honestly, it’s hard to find words,” he added.
The 34-year-old, who won this year’s Indianapolis Open, recently led the final qualifiers in Washington after filming 68 consecutive rounds, excluding one of the two spots available at this year’s US Open and has won himself in 156 strong fields. It is an incredible achievement for anyone who easily admits that he had no serious desire to play professional golf. He was briefly present on the Butler University team before he decided to focus on schools.
“I’ve always been a math and science nerd, so even in high school, I said, ‘Let’s major in biology and become a dentist.’ It seemed like a great way to work with people, interact with people every day and make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.
“So I started practicing myself in 2018, and it was a lot of work. But then I started trying to get back to golf a bit, and I was very fortunate because our practice has grown.
Despite the happiness of qualifying this week at the US Open, Vogt arrives at Oakmont with a very heavy heart after his much-loved father, Jim, a few months ago.
“In a way, you feel matured from boy to man to person and father. Anyone who has lost a parent will feel these short gush of emotions. He felt colon cancer, and I was wearing a blue ribbon for that.
Jim Fogt was not only his son’s mentor, but also his biggest fan, and a huge source of inspiration and love on and off the course. Emotions get thicker for Matt Fogt, but they get thicker, especially considering this Sunday is American Father’s Day.
“I’m sure this weekend will be emotional. There’s a sense of peace between my family. I hope he’s in peace too, because it was tough. It was a unique time in my life when my father passed away. “I thank them God every day. I really do it. I thank God for everything in my life. I think this weekend is full of gratitude and hopefully good golf.”
Vogt says that he “nothing” without his Christian faith – is a true Cinderella story. And no matter what the outcomes this week in his hometown, dentists are guaranteed to stimulate a transformed us open list.
“It’s never too late, and there’s no reason to pursue your dreams at any point in your life or try to do anything outside of your career.
“If you want to do something, if it matters to you, you can do it, you can be honest.”