United States Amateur Championship (golf)

The United States Amateur Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Amateur, is the leading annual golf tournament in the United States for amateur golfers. It is organized by the United States Golf Association and is currently held each August over a 7-day period.

U.S. Amateur
Tournament information
LocationBandon, Oregon (2020)
Established1895
Course(s)Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (2020)
Par72 (2020)
Length7,212 yd (6,595 m) (2020)
Organized byUSGA
FormatStroke play and match play
Month playedAugust
Current champion
Tyler Strafaci

In 1894 there were two tournaments called the "National Amateur Championship". One of them was played at Newport Country Club and was won by William G. Lawrence, and the other took place at Saint Andrew's Golf Club and was won by Laurence B. Stottard. This state of affairs prompted Charles B. Macdonald of the Chicago Golf Club to call for the creation of a national governing body to authorize an official national championship, and the Amateur Golf Association of the United States, which was soon to be renamed the United States Golf Association, was formed on December 22 of that year. In 1895 it organized both the first U.S. Amateur Championship and the first U.S. Open, both of which were played at Newport Country Club.

There are no age or gender restrictions on entry, but players must have a handicap index of 2.4 or less. Originally, entry was restricted to members of USGA-affiliated private clubs (and, presumably, international players who were members of private clubs affiliated with their nations' golf governing bodies), a restriction that was not lifted until 1979.[1] The tournament consists of two days of stroke play, with the leading 64 competitors then playing a knockout competition held at match play to decide the champion. All knockout matches are over 18 holes except for the final, which consists of 36 holes, separated into morning and afternoon 18-hole rounds. Nowadays it is usually won by players in their late teens or early twenties who are working towards a career as a tournament professional. Before World War II more top-level golfers chose to remain amateur, and the average age of U.S. Amateur champions was higher.

Many of the leading figures in the history of golf have been U.S. Amateur Champion, including Bobby Jones five times, Jerome Travers four times, Jack Nicklaus twice and Tiger Woods three times (all consecutive; the only player to win three in a row). Woods' first win, as an 18-year-old in 1994, made him the youngest winner of the event, breaking the previous record of 19 years 5 months set by Robert Gardner in 1909. In 2008, New Zealander Danny Lee became the youngest ever winner, only to be eclipsed by 17-year-old An Byeong-hun the following year. Before the professional game became dominant, the event was regarded as one of the majors. This is no longer the case, but the champion still receives an automatic invitation to play in all of the majors except the PGA Championship. In addition, the runner-up also receives an invitation to play in the Masters and the U.S. Open. However, the golfers must maintain their amateur status at the time the events are held (unless they qualify for the tournaments by other means).

With the growth in professional golf through the latter half of the 20th century, the U.S. Amateur has become dominated by younger players destined to soon become professionals. In 1981 the USGA established a new championship called the U.S. Mid-Amateur for amateurs aged at least 25 years old in order to give players who had not joined the professional ranks, and those who had regained their amateur status, a chance to play against each other for a national title.

Field

While most players at the U.S. Amateur advance through sectional qualifying, a few players are exempt each year.

  1. Winners of the U.S. Amateur each of the last ten years.
  2. Runner-up of the U.S. Amateur each of the last three years.
  3. Semi-finalists of the U.S. Amateur each of the last two years.
  4. Quarter-finalists of the U.S. Amateur the previous year.
  5. Any player who qualified for the current year's U.S. Open.
  6. Those returning 72 hole scores from the previous year's U.S. Open.
  7. The amateur with the lowest score from the current year's U.S. Senior Open.
  8. From the U.S. Mid-Amateur: winner each of the last two years and runner-up from the previous year.
  9. From the U.S. Amateur Public Links: winner each of the last two years and runner-up from the previous year. Because the Amateur Public Links was discontinued after its 2014 edition, the runner-up exemption disappeared after the 2015 U.S. Amateur, and the winner's exemption disappeared after 2016.
  10. From the U.S. Junior Amateur: winner each of the last two years and runner-up from the previous year.
  11. From the U.S. Senior Amateur: winner each of the last two years and runner-up from the previous year.
  12. Playing members of the two most recent Walker Cup teams.
  13. Playing members of the two most recent U.S. Eisenhower Trophy teams.
  14. Playing members of the current year's U.S. Men's Copa de las Américas team.
  15. Winner of the current year's individual NCAA Division I Championship.
  16. Winner of the British Amateur Championship each of the last five years.
  17. Top fifty golfers in World Amateur Golf Ranking.
  18. Winner of the current year Latin America Amateur Championship.[2]

In all cases, the exemptions only apply if the player has not turned professional as of the tournament date.

Winners

YearVenueWinnerCountryScoreRunner-up
2020Bandon Dunes Golf ResortTyler Strafaci United States1 up Ollie Osborne
2019Pinehurst ResortAndy Ogletree United States2 & 1 John Augenstein
2018Pebble Beach Golf LinksViktor Hovland Norway6 & 5 Devon Bling
2017Riviera Country ClubDoc Redman United States37th hole Doug Ghim
2016Oakland Hills Country ClubCurtis Luck Australia6 & 4 Brad Dalke
2015Olympia Fields Country ClubBryson DeChambeau United States7 & 6 Derek Bard
2014Atlanta Athletic ClubGunn Yang South Korea2 & 1 Corey Conners
2013The Country ClubMatthew Fitzpatrick England4 & 3 Oliver Goss
2012Cherry Hills Country ClubSteven Fox United States37th hole Michael Weaver
2011Erin HillsKelly Kraft United States2 up Patrick Cantlay
2010Chambers BayPeter Uihlein United States4 & 2 David Chung
2009Southern Hills Country ClubAn Byeong-hun South Korea7 & 5 Ben Martin
2008Pinehurst ResortDanny Lee New Zealand5 & 4 Drew Kittleson
2007Olympic ClubColt Knost United States2 & 1 Michael Thompson
2006Hazeltine National Golf ClubRichie Ramsay Scotland4 & 2 John Kelly
2005Merion Golf ClubEdoardo Molinari Italy4 & 3 Dillon Dougherty
2004Winged Foot Golf ClubRyan Moore United States2 up Luke List
2003Oakmont Country ClubNick Flanagan Australia37th hole Casey Wittenberg
2002Oakland Hills Country ClubRicky Barnes United States2 & 1 Hunter Mahan
2001East Lake Golf ClubBubba Dickerson United States1 up Robert Hamilton
2000Baltusrol Golf ClubJeff Quinney United States39th hole James Driscoll
1999Pebble Beach Golf LinksDavid Gossett United States9 & 8 Kim Sung-yoon
1998Oak Hill Country ClubHank Kuehne United States2 & 1 Tom McKnight
1997Cog Hill Golf & Country ClubMatt Kuchar United States2 & 1 Joel Kribel
1996Pumpkin Ridge Golf ClubTiger Woods (3) United States38th hole Steve Scott
1995Newport Country ClubTiger Woods (2) United States2 up Buddy Marucci
1994TPC at SawgrassTiger Woods United States2 up Trip Kuehne
1993Champions Golf ClubJohn Harris United States5 & 3 Danny Ellis
1992Muirfield VillageJustin Leonard United States8 & 7 Tom Scherrer
1991Honors CourseMitch Voges United States7 & 6 Manny Zerman
1990Cherry Hills Country ClubPhil Mickelson United States5 & 4 Manny Zerman
1989Merion Golf ClubChris Patton United States3 & 1 Danny Green
1988The HomesteadEric Meeks United States7 & 6 Danny Yates
1987Jupiter Hills ClubBilly Mayfair United States4 & 3 Eric Rebmann
1986Shoal Creek Golf and Country ClubBuddy Alexander United States5 & 3 Chris Kite
1985Montclair Golf ClubSam Randolph United States1 up Peter Persons
1984Oak Tree Golf ClubScott Verplank United States4 & 3 Sam Randolph
1983North Shore Country ClubJay Sigel (2) United States8 & 7 Chris Perry
1982The Country ClubJay Sigel United States8 & 7 David Tolley
1981Olympic ClubNathaniel Crosby United States1 up Brian Lindley
1980The Country Club of North CarolinaHal Sutton United States9 & 8 Bob Lewis
1979Canterbury Golf ClubMark O'Meara United States8 & 7 John Cook
1978Plainfield Country ClubJohn Cook United States5 & 4 Scott Hoch
1977Aronimink Golf ClubJohn Fought United States9 & 8 Doug Fischesser
1976Bel-Air Country ClubBill Sander United States8 & 6 C. Parker Moore Jr.
1975Country Club of VirginiaFred Ridley United States2 up Keith Fergus
1974Ridgewood Country ClubJerry Pate United States2 & 1 John Grace
1973Inverness ClubCraig Stadler United States6 & 5 David Strawn
1965–72: Stroke play
1972Charlotte Country ClubVinny Giles United States285 Mark Hayes,
Ben Crenshaw
1971Wilmington Country ClubGary Cowan (2) Canada280 Eddie Pearce
1970Waverley Country ClubLanny Wadkins United States279 Tom Kite
1969Oakmont Country ClubSteve Melnyk United States286 Vinny Giles
1968Scioto Country ClubBruce Fleisher United States284 Vinny Giles
1967Broadmoor Golf ClubBob Dickson United States285 Vinny Giles
1966Merion Golf ClubGary Cowan Canada285 Deane Beman
1965Southern Hills Country ClubBob Murphy United States291 Bob Dickson
1895–1964: Match play
1964Canterbury Golf ClubWilliam C. Campbell United States1 up Ed Tutwiler
1963Wakonda ClubDeane Beman (2) United States2 & 1 R. H. Sikes
1962Pinehurst ResortLabron Harris Jr. United States1 up Downing Gray
1961Pebble Beach Golf LinksJack Nicklaus (2) United States8 & 6 Dudley Wysong
1960St. Louis Country ClubDeane Beman United States6 & 4 Robert W. Gardner
1959Broadmoor Golf ClubJack Nicklaus United States1 up Charles Coe
1958Olympic ClubCharles Coe (2) United States5 & 4 Tommy Aaron
1957The Country ClubHillman Robbins United States5 & 4 Bud Taylor
1956Knollwood ClubHarvie Ward (2) United States5 & 4 Chuck Kocsis
1955Country Club of VirginiaHarvie Ward United States9 & 8 Bill Hyndman
1954Country Club of DetroitArnold Palmer United States1 up Robert Sweeny Jr.
1953Oklahoma City Golf & Country ClubGene Littler United States1 up Dale Morey
1952Seattle Golf ClubJack Westland United States3 & 2 Al Mengert
1951Saucon Valley Country ClubBilly Maxwell United States4 & 3 Joseph F. Gagliardi
1950Minneapolis Golf ClubSam Urzetta United States39th hole Frank Stranahan
1949Oak Hill Country ClubCharles Coe United States11 & 10 Rufus King
1948Memphis Country ClubWillie Turnesa (2) United States2 & 1 Ray Billows
1947Pebble Beach Golf LinksSkee Riegel United States2 & 1 Johnny Dawson
1946Baltusrol Golf ClubTed Bishop United States37th hole Smiley Quick
1942–45: No championships due to World War II
1941Omaha Field ClubBud Ward (2) United States4 & 3 Pat Abbott
1940Winged Foot Golf ClubDick Chapman United States11 & 9 W. B. McCullough Jr.
1939North Shore Country ClubBud Ward United States7 & 5 Ray Billows
1938Oakmont Country ClubWillie Turnesa United States8 & 7 Pat Abbott
1937Alderwood Country ClubJohnny Goodman United States2 up Ray Billows
1936Garden City Golf ClubJohnny Fischer United States37th hole Jack McLean
1935The Country ClubLawson Little (2) United States4 & 2 Walter Emery
1934The Country ClubLawson Little United States8 & 7 David Goldman
1933Kenwood Country ClubGeorge Dunlap United States6 & 5 Max Marston
1932Baltimore Country ClubRoss Somerville Canada2 & 1 Johnny Goodman
1931Beverly Country ClubFrancis Ouimet (2) United States6 & 5 Jack Westland
1930Merion Golf ClubBobby Jones (5) United States8 & 7 Eugene V. Homans
1929Pebble Beach Golf LinksJimmy Johnston United States4 & 3 Oscar Willing
1928Brae Burn Country ClubBobby Jones (4) United States10 & 9 Philip Perkins
1927Minikahda ClubBobby Jones (3) United States8 & 7 Chick Evans
1926Baltusrol Golf ClubGeorge Von Elm United States2 & 1 Bobby Jones
1925Oakmont Country ClubBobby Jones (2) United States8 & 7 Watts Gunn
1924Merion Golf ClubBobby Jones United States9 & 8 George Von Elm
1923Flossmoor Country ClubMax Marston United States38th hole Jess Sweetser
1922The Country ClubJess Sweetser United States3 & 2 Chick Evans
1921St. Louis Country ClubJesse Guilford United States7 & 6 Robert Gardner
1920Engineers Country ClubChick Evans (2) United States7 & 6 Francis Ouimet
1919Oakmont Country ClubDavidson Herron United States5 & 4 Bobby Jones
1917–18: No championships due to World War I
1916Merion Golf ClubChick Evans United States4 & 3 Robert Gardner
1915Country Club of DetroitRobert Gardner (2) United States5 & 4 John G. Anderson
1914Ekwanok Country ClubFrancis Ouimet United States6 & 5 Jerome Travers
1913Garden City Golf ClubJerome Travers (4) United States5 & 4 John G. Anderson
1912Chicago Golf ClubJerome Travers (3) United States7 & 6 Chick Evans
1911The Apawamis ClubHarold Hilton England37th hole Fred Herreshoff
1910The Country ClubWilliam C. Fownes Jr. United States4 & 3 Warren Wood
1909Chicago Golf ClubRobert Gardner United States4 & 3 Chandler Egan
1908Garden City Golf ClubJerome Travers (2) United States8 & 7 Max H. Behr
1907Euclid ClubJerome Travers United States6 & 5 Archibald Graham
1906Englewood Golf ClubEben Byers United States2 up George Lyon
1905Chicago Golf ClubChandler Egan (2) United States6 & 5 Daniel Sawyer
1904Baltusrol Golf ClubChandler Egan United States8 & 6 Fred Herreshoff
1903Nassau Country ClubWalter Travis (3) United States5 & 4 Eben Byers
1902Glen View ClubLouis N. James United States4 & 2 Eben Byers
1901Atlantic City Country ClubWalter Travis (2) United States5 & 4 Walter Egan
1900Garden City Golf ClubWalter Travis United States2 up Findlay S. Douglas
1899Onwentsia ClubHerbert M. Harriman United States3 & 2 Findlay S. Douglas
1898Morris County Golf ClubFindlay S. Douglas Scotland5 & 3 Walter B. Smith
1897Chicago Golf ClubH. J. Whigham (2) Scotland8 & 6 W. Rossiter Betts
1896Shinnecock Hills Golf ClubH. J. Whigham Scotland8 & 7 Joseph G. Thorp
1895Newport Country ClubCharles B. Macdonald United States12 & 11 Charles Sands

Multiple winners

Eighteen players have won more than one U.S. Amateur, through 2019:

Eleven players have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open Championships, through 2019:

Thirteen players have won both the U.S. Amateur and British Amateurs, through 2019:

Two players have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Amateur Public Links in the same year, through 2019:

^ Won both in same year. Bobby Jones won the Grand Slam in 1930, winning the U.S. Amateur, U.S. Open, British Amateur, and British Open.

Most times hosted

Future sites

YearEditionCourseLocationDates
2021121stOakmont Country ClubPlum, PennsylvaniaTBD
2022122ndRidgewood Country ClubRidgewood, New JerseyTBD
2023123rdCherry Hills Country ClubCherry Hills Village, ColoradoTBD
2024124thHazeltine National Golf ClubChaska, MinnesotaTBD
2025125thThe Olympic ClubSan Francisco, CaliforniaTBD
2026126thMerion Golf ClubArdmore, PennsylvaniaTBD
2027127thOak Hill Country ClubPittsford, New YorkTBD

Source[3]

Exemptions

The U.S. Amateur results lead to exemptions into other tournaments. In all cases, the exemption holds only if the golfer retains their amateur status. All the exemptions listed below pertain to only the winner of the U.S. Amateur, unless otherwise stated.

Here are the major exemptions:

  • The next 10 years of the U.S. Amateur
  • The next 3 years of the U.S. Amateur (runner-up)
  • The next 2 years of the U.S. Amateur (semi-finalists)
  • The following year's U.S. Amateur (quarter-finalists)
  • The following year's U.S. Open (winner and runner-up)
  • The following year's Masters Tournament (winner and runner-up)
  • The following year's Open Championship[4]
  • The next 10 years of the Amateur Championship[5]

Here are the other exemptions:

References

  1. "Changes Made to USGA Championship Roster" (Press release). United States Golf Association. February 11, 2013. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved February 11, 2013.
  2. "2018 Results". www.laacgolf.com. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  3. USGA.com Archived July 20, 2011, at the Wayback Machine – Future venues
  4. "The Open - Exemptions". www.theopen.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  5. "The R&A - Conditions of Competition". www.randa.org. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. "Exemptions – Monroe Invitational". www.monroeinvitational.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  7. "Invitation Criteria". www.northeastamateur.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  • Official site - most of the information is in the archive sections
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.