In addition to identifying the successful qualifiers, each qualifying site will identify two alternates (1st and 2nd alternate). Replacement of players in the championship field is done using the following procedure:
- If a player who earned a place in the Championship through Qualifying (i.e. non-exempt player) withdraws, the 1st Alternate from that same Qualifying Site will be contacted by the USGA to replace the withdrawn player. If the 1st Alternate declines, the 2nd Alternate from the same location will be contacted. If both Alternates decline, the USGA will repeat the process using the next site on the re-allotment list.
- If an exempt player withdraws, the 1st Alternate from the next site listed on the reallotment list will be contacted by the USGA to replace the withdrawn player. If the 1st Alternate declines, the 2nd Alternate from the same location will be contacted. If both Alternates decline, the USGA will repeat the process using the next site on the reallotment list.
- Once an alternate accepts a place in the championship through the reallotment list, that site is moved to the bottom of the list.
The above process applies to all USGA Championships except the U.S. Adaptive Open, which follows a different replacement process due to Impairment Categories.