U.S. Junior Amateur History
In 1948, the USGA inaugurated the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, for players under the age of 18, to determine the best junior golfer in the United States.
In 2016, the USGA made a significant change to the age limit of the U.S. Junior Amateur to allow anyone under the age of 19 to compete starting with the 2017 championship.
The inaugural U.S. Junior Amateur was played at the University of Michigan Golf Course and drew 495 entries. Dean Lind, of Rockford, Ill., defeated future U.S. Open champion Ken Venturi, of San Francisco.
Since then, a number of prominent players have won the U.S. Junior Amateur, including 14-time major champion Tiger Woods, who captured three consecutive titles from 1991-93. Jordan Spieth, the 2015 U.S. Open champion, is the only other individual to win multiple Junior Amateur titles. Other notable champions include David Duval, Gary Koch, Hunter Mahan, Johnny Miller, Mason Rudolph and Kevin Tway, the son of 1986 PGA champion Bob Tway.
In 2017 the USGA announced that the U.S. Junior champion would receive an exemption into the following year's U.S. Open Championship. Noah Goodwin became the first to achieve the feat with his triumph at Flint Hills National Golf Club.
U.S. Junior Amateur Champions (1948-Present)
1948: Dean Lind d. Kenneth Venturi, 4 and 2; Univ. of Mich. G.C., Ann Arbor, Mich.; Entries: 495
1949: Gay Brewer d. Mason Rudolph, 6 and 4; Congressional C.C., Washington, D.C.; Entries: 416
1950: Mason Rudolph d. Charles Beville, 2 and 1; Denver (Colo.) C.C.; Entries: 457
1951: K. Thomas Jacobs Jr. d. Floyd Addington, 4 and 2; Univ. of Illinois G.C., Champaign, Ill.; Entries: 596
1952: Donald M. Bisplinghoff d. Eddie M. Meyerson, 2 up; Yale G.C., New Haven, Conn.; Entries: 711
1953: Rex Baxter Jr. d. George Warren III, 2 and 1; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Entries: 713
1954: Foster Bradley Jr. d. Allen L. Geiberger, 3 and 1; Los Angeles (Calif.) C.C. (North Course); Entries: 747
1955: Billy J. Dunn d. William J. Seanor, 3 and 2; Purdue Univ. G.C. (South Course), West Lafayette, Ind.; Entries: 805
1956: Harlan Stevenson d. Jack D. Rule Jr., 3 and 1; Taconic G.C., Williamstown, Mass.; Entries: 996
1957: Larry Beck d. David C. Leon, 6 and 5; Manor C.C., Rockville, Md.; Entries: 1,065
1958: Gordon Baker d. R. Douglas Lindsay, 2 and 1; Univ. of Minnesota G.C., St. Paul, Minn.; Entries: 1,117
1959: Larry J. Lee d. Michael V. McMahon, 2 up; Stanford Univ. (Calif.) G.C.; Entries: 1,365
1960: William L. Tindall d. Robert L. Hammer, 2 and 1; Milburn G. & C.C., Overland Park, Kan.; Entries: 1,445
1961: Charles S. McDowell d. Jay Sigel, 2 up; Cornell Univ. G.C., Ithaca, N.Y.; Entries: 1,885
1962: James L. Wiechers d. James Sullivan, 4 and 3; Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.; Entries: 2,090
1963: Gregg McHatton d. Richard Bland, 4 and 3; Florence (S.C.) C.C.; Entries: 2,230
36-Hole Stroke Play Qualifying Before Match Play (1964-Present)
1964: Johnny Miller d. Enrique Sterling Jr., 2 and 1; Eugene (Ore.) C.C.; Medalist — 139, Johnny Miller; Entries: 1,583
1965: James Masserio d. Lloyd Liebler, 3 and 2; Wilmington (Del.) C.C. (South Course); Medalists — 148, Robert Barbarossa, Arthur Russell; Entries: 1,600
1966: Gary Sanders d. Ray Leach, 2 up; California C.C., Whittier, Calif.; Medalist — 143, Terry Jastrow; Entries: 1,464
1967: John T. Crooks d. Andy North, 2 and 1; Twin Hills G. & C.C., Oklahoma City, Okla.; Medalist — 141, Allen Brooks; Entries: 1,484
1968: Eddie Pearce d. W.B. Harman Jr., 6 and 5; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist — 145, Gary Koch; Entries: 1,599
1969: Aly Trompas d. Eddie Pearce, 3 and 1; Spokane (Wash.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, Richard Monkman; Entries: 1,337
1970: Gary Koch d. Mike Nelms, 8 and 6; Athens (Ga.) C.C.; Medalist — 141, Mike Fambrough; Entries: 1,444
1971: Mike Brannan d. Robert Steele, 4 and 3; Manor C.C., Rockville, Md.; Medalist — 142, Curtis Strange; Entries: 1,559
1972: (Aug. 1-5) Robert T. Byman d. Scott Simpson, 2 and 1; Brookhaven C.C., Dallas, Texas; Medalist — 144, Robert T. Byman; Entries: 1,492
1973: Jack Renner d. Mike Brannan, 20 holes; Singing Hills C.C., El Cajon, Calif.; Medalist — 139, Robert Donald; Entries: 1,325
1974: David Nevatt d. Mark Tinder, 4 and 3; Brooklawn C.C., Bridgeport, Conn.; Medalist — 143, Charles H. Beck Jr.; Entries: 1,453
1975: Brett Mullin d. Scott Templeton, 2 and 1; Richland C.C., Nashville, Tenn.; Medalist — 140, Gary Pinns; Entries: 1,898
1976: Madden Hatcher III d. Doug Clarke, 3 and 2; Hiwan G.C., Evergreen, Colo.; Medalists — 144, Andy Blossom, Robert Clampett; Entries: 1,957
1977: Willie Wood d. David Games, 4 and 3; Ohio State Univ. G.C. (Scarlet Course), Columbus, Ohio; Medalist — 141, Willie Wood; Entries: 2,039
1978: Donald Hurter d. Keith Banes, 21 holes; Wilmington C.C. (South Course), Wilmington, Del.; Medalist — 141, Willie Wood; Entries: 2,019
1979: Jack Larkin d. Billy Tuten, 1 up; Moss Creek G.C., Hilton Head Island, S.C.; Medalists — 148, Nathaniel Crosby, Rick Fehr; Entries: 1,848
1980: Eric Johnson d. Bruce Soulsby, 4 and 3; Pine Lake C.C., Orchard Lake, Mich.; Medalist — 139, Ralden Chang; Entries: 1,694
1981: Scott Erickson d. Matt McCarley, 4 and 3; Sunnyside C.C., Fresno, Calif.; Medalists — 144, Mike Blewett, Jeff Combe; Entries: 1,516
1982: Rich Marik d. Tim Straub, 4 and 3; Crooked Stick G.C., Carmel, Ind.; Medalist — 144, Tim Fleming; Entries: 1,701
1983: Tim Straub d. John Mahon, 1 up; Saucon Valley C.C. (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa.; Medalist — 146, Anthony Adams; Entries: 1,816
1984: Doug Martin d. Brad Agee, 4 and 2; Wayzata (Minn.) C.C.; Medalist — 145, Doug Martin; Entries: 1,877
1985: Charles Rymer d. Gregory Lesher, 19 holes; Brookfield C.C., Clarence, N.Y.; Medalists — 146, Michael Watson, John Tighe Jr.; Entries: 2,068
1986: Brian Montgomery d. Nicky Goetze, 2 and 1; Muirfield Village G.C., Dublin, Ohio; Medalist — 152, Michael Schafer; Entries: 2,320
1987: Brett Quigley d. Bill Heim, 1 up; Singletree G.C., Edwards, Colo.; Medalist — 141, Harry Rudolph Jr.; Entries: 2,349
1988: Jason Widener d. Brandon Knight, 1 up; Yale Univ. G.C., New Haven, Conn.; Medalist — 140, Brad Lehmann; Entries: 2,087
1989: David Duval d. Austin Maki, 1 up; Singing Hills G. & C.C., El Cajon, Calif.; Medalists — 145, Chris Edgmon, Jason Worth, Chris Riley, Brian Gay; Entries: 2,025
1990: Mathew Todd d. Dennis Hillman, 1 up; Lake Merced G. & C.C., Daly City, Calif.; Medalist — 151, Dennis Hillman; Entries: 2,051
1991: Tiger Woods d. Brad Zwetschke, 19 holes; Bay Hill Club, Orlando, Fla.; Medalist — 140, Tiger Woods; Entries: 2,198
1992: Tiger Woods d. Mark Wilson, 1 up; Wollaston G.C., Milton, Mass.; Medalist — 143, Tiger Woods; Entries: 2,250
1993: Tiger Woods d. Ryan Armour, 19 holes; Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist — 140, Ted Oh; Entries: 2,388
1994: Terry Noe d. Andy Barnes, 2 up; Echo Lake C.C., Westfield, N.J.; Medalist — 139, Michael Henderson; Entries: 2,694
1995: D. Scott Hailes d. James Driscoll, 1 up; Fargo (N.D.) C.C.; Medalist — 143, Jeremy Anderson; Entries: 2,990
1996: Shane McMenamy d. Charles Howell, 19 holes; Forest Highlands G.C., Flagstaff, Ariz.; Medalist — 138, Bryce Molder; Entries: 3,498
1997: Jason Allred d. Trevor Immelman, 1 up; Aronimink G.C., Newtown Square, Pa.; Medalist — 140, Ryan Hybl; Entries: 4,012
1998: James Oh d. Aaron Baddeley, 1 up; Conway Farms G.C., Lake Forest, Ill.; Medalist — 135, Aaron Baddeley; Entries: 4,088
1999: Hunter Mahan d. Camilo Villegas, 4 and 2; Country Club of York (Pa.); Medalist — 134, Sonny Nimkhum, Entries: §4,508
2000: Matthew Rosenfeld d. Ryan Moore, 3 and 2; Pumpkin Ridge G.C. (Ghost Creek Course), North Plains, Ore.; Medalist — 138, Matthew Rosenfeld; Entries: 3,692
2001: Henry Liaw d. Richard Scott, 2 and 1; Oak Hills C.C., San Antonio, Texas; Medalist — •132, James Vargas; Entries: 3,794
2002: Charlie Beljan d. Zac Reynolds, 20 holes; Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands Course), Duluth, Ga.; Medalists — 139, Jarred Texter, Tarik Can; Entries: 3,827
2003: Brian Harman d. Jordan Cox, 5 and 4; Columbia C.C., Chevy Chase, Md.; Medalist — 137, Sung Hoon Kang; Entries: 3,216
2004: Sihwan Kim d. David Chung, 1 up; The Olympic Club, San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist — 133, Brian Harman; Entries: 3,184
First 36-Hole Final (2005-Present)
2005: Kevin Tway d. Bradley Johnson, 5 and 3; Longmeadow (Mass.) C.C.; Medalist — 133, Sam Saunders; Entries: 3,174
2006: Philip Francis d. Richard Lee, 3 and 2; Rancho Santa Fe (Calif.) G.C.; Medalist — 136, Arnond Vongvanij; Entries: 3,267
2007: Cory Whitsett d. Anthony Paolucci, 8 and 7; Boone Valley G.C., Augusta, Mo.; Medalist — 136, Seung Yul Noh; Entries: 3,106
2008: Cameron Peck d. Evan Beck, 10 and 8; Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek, Ala.; Medalist — 139, Jorge Fernandez Valdes; Entries: 3,148
2009: Jordan Spieth d. Jay Hwang, 4 and 3; Trump National G.C. (Old and New Courses), Bedminster, N.J.; Medalist — 143, Jordan Spieth; Entries: 2,916
2010: Jim Liu d. Justin Thomas, 4 and 2; Egypt Valley C.C., Ada, Mich.; Medalist — 134, Curtis Thompson; Entries: 2,830
2011: Jordan Spieth d. Chelso Barrett, 6 and 5; Gold Mountain G.C. (Olympic Course); Medalist -- 135, Beau Hossler; Entries: 2,772
2012: Andy Hyeon Bo Shim d. Jim Liu, 4 and 3; The Golf Club of New England, Stratham, N.H.; Medalists – 141, Shintaro Ban; Nicolas Echavarria, Jim Liu; Entries: 2,941
2013: Scottie Scheffler d. Davis Riley, 3 and 2; Martis Camp, Truckee, Calif.; Medalist – 136, Jim Liu; Entries: 2,860
2014: Will Zalatoris d. Davis Riley, 5 and 3; The Club at Carlton Woods (Nicklaus Course), The Woodlands, Texas; Medalist – 137, Sean Crocker, Sam Horsfield; Entries: 3,238
2015: Philip Barbaree d. Andrew Orischak, 37 holes; Colleton River Plantation Club (Dye Course), Bluffton, S.C.; Medalist – 138, Brandon Mancheno; Entries: 3,184
2016: Min Woo Lee d. Noah Goodwin, 2 and 1; The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.; Medalist – 136, Travis Vick; Entries: 3,157
2017: Noah Goodwin d. Matthew Wolff, 1 up, Flint Hills National Golf Club, Andover, Kan.; Medalist – •132, Austin Eckroat; Entries: 3,774
2018: Michael Thorbjornsen d. Akshay Bhatia, 1 up, Baltusrol Golf Club (Upper Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist – 133, Kelly Chinn; Entries: 3,693
2019: Preston Summerhays d. Bo Jin, 2 and 1, Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio.; Medalists – 138, William Moll, William Mouw, Ricky Castillo; Entries: 3,496
2020: Championship canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021: Nicholas Dunlap d. Cohen Trolio, 3 and 2, The Country Club of North Carolina (Dogwood Course), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist – 132, Kelly Chinn; Entries: 3,346
2022: Wenyi Ding d. Caleb Surratt, 3 and 2, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes Course), Bandon Ore.; Medalist – 134, Keaton Vo; Entries: 3,746
2023: Bryan Kim d. Joshua Bai, 2 up, Daniel Island Club (Ralston Creek Course), Charleston, S.C.; Medalist – 135, Tommy Morrison; Entries: 4,261
• Record qualifying score (2001, 2017)
§ Record entry (1999)