FAR HILLS, N.J. – A total of 2,445 entries have been accepted for the 2015 U.S. Senior Open Championship, scheduled for June 25-28 at Del Paso Country Club, in Sacramento, Calif. Eleven past champions are among the 79 players who are currently fully exempt into the championship.

“The U.S. Senior Open is senior golf’s most coveted championship and the number of entries is evidence of the interest,” said Diana Murphy, USGA vice president and Championship Committee chairman. “We are excited to bring the U.S. Senior Open to Northern California and Del Paso Country Club for the first time and look forward to awarding the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy to the champion in June.”

The U.S. Senior Open is open to professional golfers and amateurs with a Handicap Index® not exceeding 3.4 who are 50 years of age at the start of championship play.

Sectional qualifying will be played over 18 holes at 34 sites across the United States between May 11 and June 4. There are qualifying sites in 26 states, including five in California and three in Florida. In addition, places in the 156-player field are reserved for eligible winners of official PGA Tour and Champions Tour events in the weeks remaining before the 2015 U.S. Senior Open.

The USGA accepted entries for the 36th U.S. Senior Open from golfers in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 25 foreign countries. The record for entries was established in 2002, when 3,101 golfers applied to play.

Colin Montgomerie, the 2014 champion, and 10 other Senior Open champions are fully exempt from having to qualify for the championship. They are: Olin Browne (2011), Brad Bryant (2007), Roger Chapman (2012), Dave Eichelberger (1999), Fred Funk (2009), Hale Irwin (1998, 2000), Peter Jacobsen (2004), Bernhard Langer (2010), Kenny Perry (2013) and Eduardo Romero (2008).

There are eight U.S. Open champions among the 79 exempt players. They are: three-time champion Hale Irwin (1974, 1979, 1990), Lee Janzen (1993, 1998), Steve Jones (1996), Tom Kite (1992), Jerry Pate (1976), Corey Pavin (1995), Scott Simpson (1987) and Tom Watson (1982).

For the fifth consecutive year, only online entries were accepted, beginning on March 4. John Heaton, a 51-year-old professional from Carlsbad, N.M., submitted his entry 1 minute, 48 seconds before the deadline of 5 p.m. EDT on May 6. John Abendroth, a 62-year-old professional from Burlingame, Calif., was the first entrant.

The 79 golfers who are fully exempt into the 2015 U.S. Senior Open (as of May 6):

Bold - U.S. Senior Open champion    a - amateur