The U.S. Open often is regarded as one of the most challenging events in the sport of bowling, featuring a 56-game marathon on demanding playing conditions to determine the finalists and winner of the coveted green jacket.

Competitors at the U.S. Open bowl 24 qualifying games over three days before the field is cut to the top 36 players for an eight-game cashers' round. The top 24 bowlers after 32 games advance to round-robin match play, and 56-game totals, including 30 bonus pins for each win in match play, determine the five players advancing to the stepladder finals.

Participants in the 108-player select field earn their spots primarily through invitations based on their on-lane performances during the previous year. Players also can earn their spot through direct qualifiers around the country leading up to the event and a pre-tournament qualifier before the start of the tournament.