Former Alabama golfer Bud Cauley will make his professional debut at the 2011 United States Open at Congressional Country Club next week, after shooting 67-65 in his sectional qualifying event in Tunica, Miss., on Monday.

Cauley, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., and a three-time first-team All-American at Alabama, joined South Korea’s Sunghoon Kang atop the leader board at 12-under-par 132 in one of the most difficult sectionals in the country at Tunica (Miss.) National Golf Club. It is the first time Cauley has qualified to play in the U.S. Open.

“That all really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Cauley told the Florida Times-Union. “What’s important is I’m going to play in my first major championship. I’m pretty happy with how I’m playing right now.”

Cauley finished his Alabama career as the school’s first three-time first-team All-American and its career leader in scoring average at 71.39.

He was also a three-time first-team All-SEC selection, a three-time Ben Hogan Award semifinalist and a finalist in 2010. He played for the United States in the 2009 Walker Cup and won four career tournaments with the Tide.

Cauley is the first Alabama player since Michael Thompson in 2008 to qualify for the U.S. Open immediately following his Alabama playing career.