2016 U.S. Open Field
The field at all U.S. Opens is determined in part through local and sectional qualifying tournaments, with golfers advancing into the Open field; and through automatic spots in the field earned by golfers who meet certain criteria. Golfers who meet those criteria are said to be "exempt from qualifying." Those criteria are described below. (For information on qualifiers, see "How can I qualify to play in the U.S. Open?"

Automatic Exemptions Into the 2016 US Open Golf Tournament
There are multiple ways that golfers can earn exemptions into the 2016 US Open golf tournament. (Earning one of the below exemptions means that the golfer is exempt from having to advance through local and sectional qualifying tournaments.) In addition to the exemptions below, the USGA may grant an exemption to any player(s) of its choosing "on the basis of his playing record."

Full exemptions are granted to golfers who meet any of the following criteria:

• Winners of the last 10 U.S. Opens
• Winner and runner-up of last year's U.S. Amateur Championship (provided those players remain amateurs)
• Winners of the last five Masters
• Winners of the last five British Opens
• Winners of the last five PGA Championships
• Winners of the last three Players Championships
• Winner of last year's U.S. Senior Open
• Top 15 finishes (including ties) from last year's U.S. Open
• Top 30 finishers on the previous year's PGA Tour money list
• All players who qualified for last year's Tour Championship
• Top 15 finishers on the previous year's European Tour money list
• Top 10 players on current year's PGA Tour money list at the time of a set (and announced) date prior to current U.S. Open (this cutoff date is typically about four weeks prior to the start of the U.S. Open)
• Any golfer who has won two or more PGA Tour events during the calendar year preceding the start of the current U.S. Open
• Top 5 players on current year's European Tour money list through a cutoff date approximately four weeks prior to U.S. Open.
• Top 2 finishers on the previous year's Japan Tour money list, provided those players are in the Top 75 of the world rankings at end of same year
• Top 2 finishers on the previous year's PGA of Australia money list, provide those players are in the Top 75 of the world rankings at end of same year
• Top 50 players in the current year's Official World Golf Ranking as of a cutoff point approximately four weeks prior to the U.S. Open.