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U.S. Amateur History

U.S. Amateur:  Records

The U.S. Amateur Championship is the oldest USGA championship and it was created in 1895 because of a controversy. In 1894, two clubs -- Newport (R.I.) Golf Club and New York's St. Andrew's Golf Club -- had conducted invitational tournaments to attract the nation's top amateur players.

Both clubs proclaimed their winners as the national champion, while Charles Blair Macdonald, a prominent player and course architect, was the runner-up in both. 

Before the final day of the St. Andrew's tournament, it was announced that an association composed of all the clubs in the United States would be formed in the ensuing months. This new national governing body would oversee a universally recognized championship and create a written set of rules.

With that, representatives from Newport Golf Club, St. Andrew's Golf Club, The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., and Chicago Golf Club founded the USGA on Dec. 22, 1894, and the inaugural U.S. Amateur Championship was conducted the following year, along with the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Amateur.

The Amateur and Open Championships were conducted at Newport Golf Club during the same week of October and Macdonald became the first U.S. Amateur champion.

Since the inaugural event, the U.S. Amateur has enjoyed an illustrious history of great champions, including Bob Jones, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods. In 1930, Jones completed his Grand Slam by winning the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. Woods, in 1996, became the first to win three consecutive Amateur titles.

U.S. Amateur Champions (1895-Present)

 

1895: Charles B. Macdonald d. Charles E. Sands, 12 and 11; Newport (R.I.) G.C.; All match play; Entries: 32

1896: H.J. Whigham d. J.G. Thorp, 8 and 7; Shinnecock Hills G.C., Southampton, N.Y.; Medalist — 163, H.J. Whigham; Entries: 58

1897: (Sept. 14-18) H.J. Whigham d. W. Rossiter Betts, 8 and 6; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalist — 174, Charles B. Macdonald; Entries: 58

1898: Findlay S. Douglas d. Walter B. Smith, 5 and 3; Morris County G.C., Morristown, N.J.; Medalist — 175, J.H. Choate Jr.; Entries: 120

1899: (July 3-8) H.M. Harriman d. Findlay S. Douglas, 3 and 2; Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Medalist — 168, Charles B. Macdonald; Entries: 112

1900: (July 2-7) Walter J. Travis d. Findlay S. Douglas, 2 up; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist — 166, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 120

1901: Walter J. Travis d. Walter E. Egan, 5 and 4; Country Club of Atlantic City (N.J.); Medalist — 157, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 142

1902: Louis N. James d. Eben M. Byers, 4 and 2; Glen View Club, Golf, Ill.; Medalist — 79 (18), Walter J. Travis; Entries: 157

1903: Walter J. Travis d. Eben M. Byers, 5 and 4; Nassau C.C., Glen Cove, N.Y.; All match play; Entries: 140

1904: H. Chandler Egan d. Fred Herreshoff, 8 and 6; Baltusrol G.C. (Original Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist — 242 (54), H. Chandler Egan; Entries: 142

1905: H. Chandler Egan d. D.E. Sawyer, 6 and 5; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalist — 155 (36), Dr. D.P. Fredericks; Entries: 146

1906: Eben M. Byers d. George S. Lyon, 2 up; Englewood (N.J.) G.C.; Medalist — 152, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 141

1907: Jerome D. Travers d. Archibald Graham, 6 and 5; Euclid Club, Cleveland, Ohio; Medalist — 146, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 118

1908: Jerome D. Travers d. Max H. Behr, 8 and 7; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist — 153, Walter J. Travis; Entries: 145

1909: Robert A. Gardner d. H. Chandler Egan, 4 and 3; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists — 151, Robert A. Gardner, Charles Evans Jr., Thomas M. Sherman; Entries: 120

1910: William C. Fownes Jr. d. Warren K. Wood, 4 and 3; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist — 152, Fred Herreshoff; Entries: 217

1911: Harold H. Hilton d. Fred Herreshoff, 37 holes; The Apawamis Club, Rye, N.Y.; Medalist — 150, Harold H. Hilton; Entries: 186

1912: Jerome D. Travers d. Charles Evans Jr., 7 and 6; Chicago G.C., Wheaton, Ill.; Medalists — 152, Charles Evans Jr., Harold H. Hilton; Entries: 86

1913: Jerome D. Travers d. John G. Anderson, 5 and 4; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; Medalist — 148, Charles Evans Jr.; Entries: 149

1914: Francis Ouimet d. Jerome D. Travers, 6 and 5; Ekwanok C.C., Manchester, Vt.; Medalists — 144, R.R. Gorton, W.C. Fownes Jr.; Entries: 115

1915: Robert A. Gardner d. John G. Anderson, 5 and 4; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Medalist — 152, Dudley Mudge; Entries: 142

1916: Charles Evans Jr. d. Robert A. Gardner, 4 and 3; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 153, W.C. Fownes Jr.; Entries: 160

1917-18 No Championships: World War I

1919: (Aug. 16-23) S. Davidson Herron d. Robert T. Jones Jr., 5 and 4; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalists — 158, S. Davidson Herron, J.B. Manion, Paul Tewkesbury; Entries: 150

1920: Charles Evans Jr. d. Francis Ouimet, 7 and 6; Engineers C.C., Roslyn Harbor, N.Y.; Medalists — 154, Robert T. Jones Jr., Fred J. Wright Jr.; Entries: 235

1921: Jesse P. Guilford d. Robert A. Gardner, 7 and 6; St. Louis C.C., Clayton, Mo.; Medalist — 144, Francis Ouimet; Entries: 159

1922: Jess W. Sweetser d. Charles Evans Jr., 3 and 2; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist — 144, Jesse P. Guilford; Entries: 161

1923: Max R. Marston d. Jess W. Sweetser, 38 holes; Flossmoor (Ill.) C.C.; Medalists — 149, Charles Evans Jr., Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 143

1924: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. George Von Elm, 9 and 8; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 142, D. Clarke Corkran; Entries: 154

1925: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Watts Gunn, 8 and 7; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist — 145, Roland R.

MacKenzie; Entries: 141

1926: George Von Elm d. Robert T. Jones Jr., 2 and 1; Baltusrol G.C. (Lower Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist — 143, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 157

1927: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Charles Evans Jr., 8 and 7; Minikahda Club, Minneapolis, Minn.; Medalist — 142, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 174

1928: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. T. Phillip Perkins, 10 and 9; Brae Burn C.C., West Newton, Mass.; Medalist — 143, George J. Voigt; Entries: 158

1929: Harrison R. Johnston d. Dr. O.F. Willing, 4 and 3; Del Monte G. & C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Medalists — 145, Robert T. Jones Jr., Eugene V. Homans; Entries: 162

1930: Robert T. Jones Jr. d. Eugene V. Homans, 8 and 7; Merion Cricket Club (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 142, Robert T. Jones Jr.; Entries: 175

First Year of Sectional Qualifying (1931)

1931: Francis Ouimet d. Jack Westland, 6 and 5; Beverly C.C., Chicago, Ill.; Medalists — 148, Arthur Yates, Charles H. Seaver, John E. Lehman; Entries: 583

1932: C. Ross Somerville d. John Goodman, 2 and 1; Baltimore C.C. (Five Farms, East Course), Timonium, Md.; Medalist — 142, John W. Fischer; Entries: 600

1933: George T. Dunlap Jr. d. Max R. Marston, 6 and 5; Kenwood C.C., Cincinnati, Ohio; Medalist — 141, John W. Fischer; Entries: 601

1934: W. Lawson Little Jr. d. David Goldman, 8 and 7; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; All match play; Entries: 758

1935: W. Lawson Little Jr. d. Walter Emery, 4 and 2; The Country Club, Cleveland, Ohio; All match play; Entries: 945

1936: John W. Fischer d. Jack McLean, 37 holes; Garden City (N.Y.) G.C.; All match play; Entries: 1,118

1937: John Goodman d. Raymond E. Billows, 2 up; Alderwood C.C., Portland, Ore.; Medalist — 142, Roger Kelly; Entries: 619

1938: William P. Turnesa d. B. Patrick Abbott, 8 and 7; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist — 146, Gus T. Moreland; Entries: 871

1939: Marvin H. Ward d. Raymond E. Billows, 7 and 5; North Shore C.C., Glenview, Ill.; Medalist — 139, Thomas Sheehan Jr.; Entries: 826

1940: Richard D. Chapman d. W.B. McCullough Jr., 11 and 9; Winged Foot G.C. (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Medalist — 140, Richard D. Chapman; Entries: 755

1941: Marvin H. Ward d. B. Patrick Abbott, 4 and 3; Omaha (Neb.) Field Club; Medalist — 144, Stewart M. Alexander Jr.; Entries: 637

1942-45 No Championships: World War II

1946: Stanley E. “Ted” Bishop d. Smiley L. Quick, 37 holes; Baltusrol G.C. (Lower Course), Springfield, N.J.; Medalist — 136, Robert H. “Skee” Riegel; Entries: 899

All Match Play (1947-63)

1947: Robert H. “Skee” Riegel d. John W. Dawson, 2 and 1; Del Monte G. & C.C., Pebble Beach, Calif.; Entries: 1,048

1948: William P. Turnesa d. Raymond E. Billows, 2 and 1; Memphis (Tenn.) C.C.; Entries: 1,220

1949: Charles R. Coe d. Rufus King, 11 and 10; Oak Hill C.C. (East Course), Rochester, N.Y.; Entries: 1,060

1950: Sam Urzetta d. Frank Stranahan, 39 holes; Minneapolis (Minn.) G.C.; Entries: 1,025

1951: Billy Maxwell d. Joseph F. Gagliardi, 4 and 3; Saucon Valley C.C. (Old Course), Bethlehem, Pa.; Entries: 1,416

1952: Jack Westland d. Al Mengert, 3 and 2; Seattle (Wash.) G.C.; Entries: 1,029

1953: Gene Littler d. Dale Morey, 1 up; Oklahoma City (Okla.) G. & C.C.; Entries: 1,284

1954: Arnold Palmer d. Robert Sweeny, 1 up; Country Club of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.; Entries: 1,278

1955: E. Harvie Ward Jr. d. William Hyndman Jr., 9 and 8; Country Club of Virginia (James River Course), Richmond, Va.; Entries: 1,493

1956: E. Harvie Ward Jr. d. Charles Kocsis, 5 and 4; Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, Ill.; Entries: 1,600

1957: Hillman Robbins Jr. d. Dr. Frank M. Taylor, 5 and 4; The Country Club (Anniversary Course), Brookline, Mass.; Entries: 1,578

1958: Charles R. Coe d. Thomas D. Aaron, 5 and 4; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Entries: 1,472

1959: Jack Nicklaus d. Charles R. Coe, 1 up; Broadmoor G.C. (East Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Entries: 1,696

1960: Deane Beman d. Robert W. Gardner, 6 and 4; St. Louis C.C., Clayton, Mo.; Entries: 1,737

1961: (Sept. 11-16) Jack Nicklaus d. H. Dudley Wysong Jr., 8 and 6; Pebble Beach (Calif.) G.L.; Entries: 1,995

1962: Labron E. Harris Jr. d. Downing Gray, 1 up; Pinehurst (N.C.) C.C. (No. 2 Course); Entries: 2,044

1963: Deane Beman d. Richard H. Sikes, 2 and 1; Wakonda Club, Des Moines, Iowa; Entries: 1,768

1964: William C. Campbell d. Edgar M. Tutwiler Jr., 1 up; Canterbury G.C., Cleveland, Ohio; Medalists — 143, Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, Robert Greenwood Jr.; Entries: 1,562

All Stroke Play (1965-72)

1965: (Sept. 15-18) Robert J. Murphy Jr., 291; Robert B. Dickson, 292; Southern Hills C.C., Tulsa, Okla.; Entries: 1,476

1966: (Aug. 31 – Sept. 4) Gary Cowan 285-75; Deane Beman, 285-76; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Entries: 1,902

1967: Robert B. Dickson, 285; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 286; Broadmoor G.C. (West Course), Colorado Springs, Colo.; Entries: 1,784

1968: Bruce Fleisher, 284; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 285; Scioto C.C., Columbus, Ohio; Entries: 2,057

1969: Steven N. Melnyk, 286; Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 291; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Entries: 2,142

1970: Lanny Wadkins, *279; Thomas O. Kite Jr., 280; Waverley C.C., Portland, Ore.; Entries: 1,853

1971: (Sept. 1-4) Gary Cowan, 280; Eddie Pearce, 283; Wilmington (Del.) C.C. (South Course); Entries: 2,327

1972: Marvin “Vinny” Giles III, 285; Mark S. Hayes, Ben Crenshaw, 288; Charlotte (N.C.) C.C.;

Entries: 2,295

All Match Play (1973-1978)

1973: Craig Stadler d. David Strawn, 6 and 5; Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio; Entries: 2,110

1974: Jerry Pate d. John P. Grace, 2 and 1; Ridgewood (N.J.) C.C.; Entries: 2,420

1975: Fred Ridley d. Keith Fergus, 2 up; Country Club of Virginia (James River Course), Richmond, Va.; Entries: 2,528

1976: Bill Sander d. C. Parker Moore Jr., 8 and 6; Bel-Air C.C., Los Angeles, Calif.; Entries: 2,681

1977: John Fought d. Doug Fischesser, 9 and 8; Aronimink G.C., Newtown Square, Pa.; Entries: 2,950

1978: John Cook d. Scott Hoch, 5 and 4; Plainfield (N.J.) C.C.; Entries: 3,035

36-Hole Stroke Play Qualifying Before Match Play (1979-Present)

1979: Mark O’Meara d. John Cook, 8 and 7; Canterbury G.C., Cleveland, Ohio; Medalist — 134, Bob Clampett; Entries: 3,916

1980: Hal Sutton d. Bob Lewis, 9 and 8; Country Club of North Carolina, Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist — 139, Fred Couples; Entries: 4,008

1981: Nathaniel Crosby d. Brian Lindley, 37 holes; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist — 145, Joe Rassett; Entries: 3,525

1982: Jay Sigel d. David Tolley, 8 and 7; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalists — 141, Bob Lewis Jr., Robert Stanger Jr.; Entries: 3,685

1983: Jay Sigel d. Chris Perry, 8 and 7; North Shore C.C., Glenview, Ill.; Medalist — 139, Clark Burroughs; Entries: 3,553

1984: Scott Verplank d. Sam Randolph, 4 and 3; Oak Tree G.C., Edmond, Okla.; Medalist — 137, Scott Verplank; Entries: 3,679

1985: Sam Randolph d. Peter Persons, 1 up; Montclair G.C., West Orange, N.J.; Medalist — 134, Sam Randolph; Entries: 3,816

1986: Stewart “Buddy” Alexander d. Chris Kite, 5 and 3; Shoal Creek, Shoal Creek, Ala.; Medalist — 137, Leonard Mattiace; Entries: 4,071

1987: Bill Mayfair d. Eric Rebmann, 4 and 3; Jupiter Hills Club (Hills Course), Jupiter, Fla.; Medalist — 141, Scott Gump; Entries: 4,084

1988: Eric Meeks d. Danny Yates, 7 and 6; Virginia Hot Springs G. & C.C. (Cascades Course), Hot Springs, Va.; Medalist — 137, Tom McKnight; Entries: 4,320

1989: Chris Patton d. Danny Green, 3 and 1; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 137, Eoghan O’Connell; Entries: 4,603

1990: Phil Mickelson d. Manny Zerman, 5 and 4; Cherry Hills C.C., Englewood, Colo.; Medalist — 135, Phil Mickelson; Entries: 4,765

1991: Mitch Voges d. Manny Zerman, 7 and 6; The Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tenn.; Medalists — 136, Allen Doyle, John Harris; Entries: 4,985

1992: Justin Leonard d. Tom Scherrer, 8 and 7; Muirfield Village G.C., Dublin, Ohio; Medalist — 136, David Duval; Entries: 5,758

1993: John Harris d. Danny Ellis, 5 and 3; Champions G.C. (Cypress Creek Course), Houston, Texas; Medalist — 139, Brian Gay; Entries: 5,614

1994: Tiger Woods d. Trip Kuehne, 2 up; TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Medalist — 132, Hank Kim; Entries: 5,128

1995: Tiger Woods d. George “Buddy” Marucci Jr., 2 up; Newport (R.I.) C.C.; Medalist — 137, Jerry Courville Jr.; Entries: 5,248

1996: Tiger Woods d. Steve Scott, 38 holes; Pumpkin Ridge G.C. (Witch Hollow Course), North Plains, Ore.; Medalist — 136, Tiger Woods; Entries: 5,538

1997: Matthew Kuchar d. Joel Kribel, 2 and 1; Cog Hill G. & C.C. (No. 4 Course), Lemont, Ill.; Medalist — 136, Roger Tambellini; Entries: 6,666

1998: Hank Kuehne d. Tom McKnight, 2 and 1; Oak Hill C.C. (East Course), Rochester, N.Y.; Medalist — 136, Joel Kribel; Entries: 6,627

1999: David Gossett d. Sung Yoon Kim, 9 and 8; Pebble Beach (Calif.) G.L.; Medalist — 143, Gene Elliott; Entries: 7,920

2000: Jeff Quinney d. James Driscoll, 39 holes; Baltusrol G.C., Springfield, N.J.; Medalists — 137, Jim Salinetti, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 7,124

2001: Ben “Bubba” Dickerson d. Robert Hamilton, 1 up; East Lake G.C., Atlanta, Ga.; Medalist — 134, Chris Mundorf; Entries: 7,762

2002: Ricky Barnes d. Hunter Mahan, 2 and 1; Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course), Bloomfield Township, Mich.; Medalist — 135, Bill Haas; Entries: 7,585

2003: Nick Flanagan d. Casey Wittenberg, 37 holes; Oakmont (Pa.) C.C.; Medalist — 138, John Holmes; Entries: 7,541

2004: Ryan Moore d. Luke List, 2 up; Winged Foot G.C. (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y.; Medalist — 139, Ryan Moore; Entries: 7,356

2005: Edoardo Molinari d. Dillon Dougherty, 4 and 3; Merion G.C. (East Course), Ardmore, Pa.; Medalist — 135, James Lepp; Entries: 7,320

2006: Richie Ramsay d. John Kelly, 4 and 2; Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn.; Medalist — 138, Billy Horschel, Entries: 7,182

2007: Colt Knost d. Michael Thompson, 2 and 1; The Olympic Club (Lake Course), San Francisco, Calif.; Medalist — 137, Jason Kokrak; Entries: 7,398

2008: Danny Lee d. Drew Kittleson, 5 and 4; Pinehurst R. & Country Club (No. 2), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.; Medalist — 134, Robbie Fillmore; Entries: 7,298

2009: Byeong-Hun An d. Ben Martin, 7 and 5; Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla.; Medalist — 140, Tim Jackson; Entries: 6,948

2010: Peter Uihlein d. David Chung, 4 and 2; Chambers Bay, University Place, Wash.; Medalist – 136, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 6,485

2011: Kelly Kraft d. Patrick Cantlay, 2 up; Erin Hills, Erin Wis.; Medalist – 132, Gregor Main; Entries: 6,256

2012: Steven Fox d. Michael Weaver, 37 holes; Cherry Hills Country Club; Cherry Hills Village, Colo.; Medalist – 132, Bobby Wyatt; Entries: 6,443

2013: Matthew Fitzpatrick d. Oliver Goss, 4 and 3; The Country Club, Brookline, Mass.; Medalist – 134, Neil Raymond, Brady Watt; Entries: 7,002

2014: Gunn Yang d. Corey Conners, 2 and 1; Atlanta Athletic Club (Highlands Course), Johns Creek, Ga.; Medalist – 135, Lee McCoy, Taylor Moore; Entries: 6,803

2015: Bryson DeChambeau d. Derek Bard, 7 and 6; Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club (North Course); Medalist – 133, Brett Coletta; Entries: 7,047

2016: Curtis Luck d. Brad Dalke, 6 and 4; Oakland Hills Country Club (South Course), Bloomfield Township, Mich.; Medalist – 133, Alex Smalley; Entries: 7,385

2017: Doc Redman d. Doug Ghim, 37 holes; The Riviera Country Club, Pacific Palisades, Calif.; Medalist – 131, •Hayden Wood; Entries: 7,149

2018: Viktor Hovland d. Devon Bling, 6 and 5; Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links; Medalist – 137, Daniel Hillier, Cole Hammer; Entries: 7,463

2019: Andy Ogletree d. John Augenstein, 2 and 1; Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort & Country Club (Course No. 2); Medalist – 137, Brandon Wu; Entries: 7,190

2020: Tyler Strafaci d. Charles Osborne, 1 up; Bandon Dunes Golf Resort (Bandon Dunes course), Bandon, Ore.; Medalist – 132, Wilson Furr; Entries: 264 (all-exempt field due to COVID-19)

2021: James Piot d. Austin Greaser, 2 and 1; Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club; Medalist – 132, Mark Goetz; Entries: 7,811

2022: Sam Bennett d. Ben Carr, 1 up; The Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, N.J.; Medalists – 138, Luke Gutschewski, Michael Thorbjornsen, Hugo Townsend, Fred Biondi; Entries: 7,749

2023: Nick Dunlap d. Neal Shipley, 4 and 3; Cherry Hills Country Club, Cherry Hills Village, Colo.; Medalists – 136, Blades Brown, Jackson Buchanan, Sampson Zheng; Entries: §8,253

• Record qualifying score in championship proper (2017)

* Record score for stroke play (1970)

§ Record entry (2023)