San Jose’s Shintaro Ban earns spot in U.S. Open

Shintaro Ban stood behind the 18th green Monday at Lake Merced Golf Club, contemplating an eventful and invigorating four-week stretch in his life.

Ban, who grew up in San Jose and attended Mitty High, graduated from UNLV last month. He also competed in the NCAA golf championships, earned first-team All-America honors and returned to the Bay Area to prepare for U.S. Open sectional qualifying.

Then, amid crisp and windy conditions in Daly City, he topped it all by landing a spot in next week’s Open at Shinnecock Hills in suburban New York. Ban shot 69 at Lake Merced, after posting 67 on Monday morning at the Olympic Club’s Ocean Course, to secure his trip to America’s national championship.