U.S. Amateur
Jerry Pate with U.S. Amateur trophy, 1974
Tournament information
LocationParamus, New Jersey (2022)
Established1895
Course(s)Cherry Hills Country Club (2023)
Par71 (2023)
Length7,403 yd (6,769 m) (2022)
Organized byUSGA
FormatStroke play and match play
Month playedAugust
Current champion
United States Nick Dunlap

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.

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. The golfers must maintain their amateur status at the time the events are held (unless they qualify for the tournaments by other means). The USGA added an exception starting with the 2019 U.S. Amateur Championship in that the tournament winner only may turn professional and keep his berth for the ensuing U.S. Open.

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, many players are exempt each year. Below are the exemptions:

  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

Watts Gunn (left) with Bobby Jones (holding trophy) at the 1925 U.S. Amateur, which Jones won.
YearWinnerScoreRunner-up Venue
2023United States Nick Dunlap4 & 3United States Neal ShipleyCherry Hills Country Club
2022United States Sam Bennett1 upUnited States Ben CarrRidgewood Country Club
2021United States James Piot2 & 1United States Austin GreaserOakmont Country Club
2020United States Tyler Strafaci1 upUnited States Ollie OsborneBandon Dunes Golf Resort
2019United States Andy Ogletree2 & 1United States John AugensteinPinehurst Resort
2018Norway Viktor Hovland6 & 5United States Devon BlingPebble Beach Golf Links
2017United States Doc Redman37th holeUnited States Doug GhimRiviera Country Club
2016Australia Curtis Luck6 & 4United States Brad DalkeOakland Hills Country Club
2015United States Bryson DeChambeau7 & 6United States Derek BardOlympia Fields Country Club
2014South Korea Gunn Yang2 & 1Canada Corey ConnersAtlanta Athletic Club
2013England Matt Fitzpatrick4 & 3Australia Oliver GossThe Country Club
2012United States Steven Fox37th holeUnited States Michael WeaverCherry Hills Country Club
2011United States Kelly Kraft2 upUnited States Patrick CantlayErin Hills
2010United States Peter Uihlein4 & 2United States David ChungChambers Bay
2009South Korea An Byeong-hun7 & 5United States Ben MartinSouthern Hills Country Club
2008New Zealand Danny Lee5 & 4United States Drew KittlesonPinehurst Resort
2007United States Colt Knost2 & 1United States Michael ThompsonOlympic Club
2006Scotland Richie Ramsay4 & 2United States John KellyHazeltine National Golf Club
2005Italy Edoardo Molinari4 & 3United States Dillon DoughertyMerion Golf Club
2004United States Ryan Moore2 upUnited States Luke ListWinged Foot Golf Club
2003Australia Nick Flanagan37th holeUnited States Casey WittenbergOakmont Country Club
2002United States Ricky Barnes2 & 1United States Hunter MahanOakland Hills Country Club
2001United States Bubba Dickerson1 upUnited States Robert HamiltonEast Lake Golf Club
2000United States Jeff Quinney39th holeUnited States James DriscollBaltusrol Golf Club
1999United States David Gossett9 & 8South Korea Kim Sung-yoonPebble Beach Golf Links
1998United States Hank Kuehne2 & 1United States Tom McKnightOak Hill Country Club
1997United States Matt Kuchar2 & 1United States Joel KribelCog Hill Golf & Country Club
1996United States Tiger Woods (3)38th holeUnited States Steve ScottPumpkin Ridge Golf Club
1995United States Tiger Woods (2)2 upUnited States Buddy MarucciNewport Country Club
1994United States Tiger Woods2 upUnited States Trip KuehneTPC at Sawgrass
1993United States John Harris5 & 3United States Danny EllisChampions Golf Club
1992United States Justin Leonard8 & 7United States Tom ScherrerMuirfield Village
1991United States Mitch Voges7 & 6South Africa Manny ZermanHonors Course
1990United States Phil Mickelson5 & 4South Africa Manny ZermanCherry Hills Country Club
1989United States Chris Patton3 & 1United States Danny GreenMerion Golf Club
1988United States Eric Meeks7 & 6United States Danny YatesThe Homestead
1987United States Billy Mayfair4 & 3United States Eric RebmannJupiter Hills Club
1986United States Buddy Alexander5 & 3United States Chris KiteShoal Creek Golf and Country Club
1985United States Sam Randolph1 upUnited States Peter PersonsMontclair Golf Club
1984United States Scott Verplank4 & 3United States Sam RandolphOak Tree Golf Club
1983United States Jay Sigel (2)8 & 7United States Chris PerryNorth Shore Country Club
1982United States Jay Sigel8 & 7United States David TolleyThe Country Club
1981United States Nathaniel Crosby1 upUnited States Brian LindleyOlympic Club
1980United States Hal Sutton9 & 8United States Bob LewisThe Country Club of North Carolina
1979United States Mark O'Meara8 & 7United States John CookCanterbury Golf Club
1978United States John Cook5 & 4United States Scott HochPlainfield Country Club
1977United States John Fought9 & 8United States Doug FischesserAronimink Golf Club
1976United States Bill Sander8 & 6United States Cary Parker Moore Jr.Bel-Air Country Club
1975United States Fred Ridley2 upUnited States Keith FergusCountry Club of Virginia
1974United States Jerry Pate2 & 1United States John GraceRidgewood Country Club
1973United States Craig Stadler6 & 5United States David StrawnInverness Club
1965–1972: Stroke play
1972United States Vinny Giles285United States Mark Hayes,
United States Ben Crenshaw
Charlotte Country Club
1971Canada Gary Cowan (2)280United States Eddie PearceWilmington Country Club
1970United States Lanny Wadkins279United States Tom KiteWaverley Country Club
1969United States Steve Melnyk286United States Vinny GilesOakmont Country Club
1968United States Bruce Fleisher284United States Vinny GilesScioto Country Club
1967United States Bob Dickson285United States Vinny GilesBroadmoor Golf Club
1966Canada Gary Cowan285United States Deane BemanMerion Golf Club
1965United States Bob Murphy291United States Bob DicksonSouthern Hills Country Club
1895–1964: Match play
1964United States William C. Campbell1 upUnited States Ed TutwilerCanterbury Golf Club
1963United States Deane Beman (2)2 & 1United States R. H. SikesWakonda Club
1962United States Labron Harris Jr.1 upUnited States Downing GrayPinehurst Resort
1961United States Jack Nicklaus (2)8 & 6United States Dudley WysongPebble Beach Golf Links
1960United States Deane Beman6 & 4United States Robert W. GardnerSt. Louis Country Club
1959United States Jack Nicklaus1 upUnited States Charles CoeBroadmoor Golf Club
1958United States Charles Coe (2)5 & 4United States Tommy AaronOlympic Club
1957United States Hillman Robbins5 & 4United States Bud TaylorThe Country Club
1956United States Harvie Ward (2)5 & 4United States Chuck KocsisKnollwood Club
1955United States Harvie Ward9 & 8United States Bill HyndmanCountry Club of Virginia
1954United States Arnold Palmer1 upUnited States Robert Sweeny Jr.Country Club of Detroit
1953United States Gene Littler1 upUnited States Dale MoreyOklahoma City Golf & Country Club
1952United States Jack Westland3 & 2United States Al MengertSeattle Golf Club
1951United States Billy Maxwell4 & 3United States Joe GagliardiSaucon Valley Country Club
1950United States Sam Urzetta39th holeUnited States Frank StranahanMinneapolis Golf Club
1949United States Charles Coe11 & 10United States Rufus KingOak Hill Country Club
1948United States Willie Turnesa (2)2 & 1United States Ray BillowsMemphis Country Club
1947United States Skee Riegel2 & 1United States Johnny DawsonPebble Beach Golf Links
1946United States Ted Bishop37th holeUnited States Smiley QuickBaltusrol Golf Club
1942–1945: No championships due to World War II
1941United States Bud Ward (2)4 & 3United States Pat AbbottOmaha Field Club
1940United States Dick Chapman11 & 9United States Duff McCulloughWinged Foot Golf Club
1939United States Bud Ward7 & 5United States Ray BillowsNorth Shore Country Club
1938United States Willie Turnesa8 & 7United States Pat AbbottOakmont Country Club
1937United States Johnny Goodman2 upUnited States Ray BillowsAlderwood Country Club
1936United States Johnny Fischer37th holeScotland Jack McLeanGarden City Golf Club
1935United States Lawson Little (2)4 & 2United States Walter EmeryThe Country Club
1934United States Lawson Little8 & 7United States David GoldmanThe Country Club
1933United States George Dunlap6 & 5United States Max MarstonKenwood Country Club
1932Canada Ross Somerville2 & 1United States Johnny GoodmanBaltimore Country Club
1931United States Francis Ouimet (2)6 & 5United States Jack WestlandBeverly Country Club
1930United States Bobby Jones (5)8 & 7United States Eugene V. HomansMerion Golf Club
1929United States Jimmy Johnston4 & 3United States Oscar WillingPebble Beach Golf Links
1928United States Bobby Jones (4)10 & 9England Philip PerkinsBrae Burn Country Club
1927United States Bobby Jones (3)8 & 7United States Chick EvansMinikahda Club
1926United States George Von Elm2 & 1United States Bobby JonesBaltusrol Golf Club
1925United States Bobby Jones (2)8 & 7United States Watts GunnOakmont Country Club
1924United States Bobby Jones9 & 8United States George Von ElmMerion Golf Club
1923United States Max Marston38th holeUnited States Jess SweetserFlossmoor Country Club
1922United States Jess Sweetser3 & 2United States Chick EvansThe Country Club
1921United States Jesse Guilford7 & 6United States Robert GardnerSt. Louis Country Club
1920United States Chick Evans (2)7 & 6United States Francis OuimetEngineers Country Club
1919United States Davidson Herron5 & 4United States Bobby JonesOakmont Country Club
1917–1918: No championships due to World War I
1916United States Chick Evans4 & 3United States Robert GardnerMerion Golf Club
1915United States Robert Gardner (2)5 & 4United States John G. AndersonCountry Club of Detroit
1914United States Francis Ouimet6 & 5United States Jerome TraversEkwanok Country Club
1913United States Jerome Travers (4)5 & 4United States John G. AndersonGarden City Golf Club
1912United States Jerome Travers (3)7 & 6United States Chick EvansChicago Golf Club
1911England Harold Hilton37th holeUnited States Fred HerreshoffThe Apawamis Club
1910United States William C. Fownes Jr.4 & 3United States Warren WoodThe Country Club
1909United States Robert Gardner4 & 3United States Chandler EganChicago Golf Club
1908United States Jerome Travers (2)8 & 7United States Max H. BehrGarden City Golf Club
1907United States Jerome Travers6 & 5United States Archibald GrahamEuclid Club
1906United States Eben Byers2 upCanada George LyonEnglewood Golf Club
1905United States Chandler Egan (2)6 & 5United States Daniel SawyerChicago Golf Club
1904United States Chandler Egan8 & 6United States Fred HerreshoffBaltusrol Golf Club
1903United States Walter Travis (3)5 & 4United States Eben ByersNassau Country Club
1902United States Louis N. James4 & 2United States Eben ByersGlen View Club
1901United States Walter Travis (2)5 & 4United States Walter EganAtlantic City Country Club
1900United States Walter Travis2 upScotland Findlay S. DouglasGarden City Golf Club
1899United States Herbert M. Harriman3 & 2Scotland Findlay S. DouglasOnwentsia Club
1898Scotland Findlay S. Douglas5 & 3United States Walter B. SmithMorris County Golf Club
1897Scotland H. J. Whigham (2)8 & 6United States W. Rossiter BettsChicago Golf Club
1896Scotland H. J. Whigham8 & 7United States Joseph G. ThorpShinnecock Hills Golf Club
1895United States Charles B. Macdonald12 & 11United States Charles SandsNewport Country Club

Multiple winners

Eighteen players have won more than one U.S. Amateur, through 2023:

Twelve players have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open Championships, through 2023:

Thirteen players have won both the U.S. Amateur and British Amateurs, through 2023:

Two players have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Junior Amateur through 2023:

  • Tiger Woods: 1994, 1995, 1996 Amateurs; 1991, 1992, 1993 Junior Amateur
  • Nick Dunlap: 2023 Amateur; 2021 Junior Amateur

Two players have won both the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Amateur Public Links in the same year, through 2023:

^ 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

YearEditionCourseLocationDatesPrevious championships hosted
2024124thHazeltine National Golf ClubChaska, MinnesotaAugust 12–182006
2025125thOlympic ClubSan Francisco, CaliforniaAugust 11–171958, 1981, 2007
2026126thMerion Golf ClubArdmore, PennsylvaniaAugust 10–161916, 1924, 1930, 1966, 1989, 2005
2027127thOak Hill Country ClubPittsford, New YorkAugust 9–151949, 1998
2029129thInverness ClubToledo, OhioAugust 13–191973
2030130thAtlanta Athletic ClubJohns Creek, GeorgiaAugust 12–182014
2031131stHonors CourseOoltewah, TennesseeAugust 11–171991
2032132ndBandon Dunes Golf ResortBandon, OregonTBD2020
2033133rdChambers BayUniversity Place, WashingtonTBD2010
2034134thThe Country ClubBrookline, MassachusettsTBD1910, 1922, 1934, 1957, 1982, 2013
2036136thScioto Country ClubUpper Arlington, OhioTBD1968
2038138thPinehurst ResortPinehurst, North CarolinaTBD1962, 2008, 2019
2041141stBandon Dunes Golf ResortBandon, OregonTBD2020, 2032
2047147thOakland Hills Country ClubBloomfield Hills, MichiganTBD2002, 2016
2051151stSaucon Valley Country ClubBethlehem, PennsylvaniaTBD1951

Source[3][4]

Exemptions

The U.S. Amateur results lead to exemptions into other tournaments. Except for the U.S. Open exemption for the winner, 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) (winner is permitted to turn professional before the tournament)
  • The following year's Masters Tournament (winner and runner-up)
  • The following year's Open Championship[5]
  • The next 10 years of the Amateur Championship[6]

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. "Inverness Club Selected to Host 2029 U.S. Amateur". United States Golf Association. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  4. "2024 U.S. Amateur Fast Facts". United States Golf Association.
  5. "The Open - Exemptions". www.theopen.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  6. "The R&A - Conditions of Competition". www.randa.org. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  7. "Exemptions – Monroe Invitational". www.monroeinvitational.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  8. "Invitation Criteria". www.northeastamateur.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  • Official site - most of the information is in the archive sections
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