Will an amateur golfer ever come close to winning the US Open?

I know there was a time where the top ams in the country would play the US open and do reasonably well, considering the field they are going up against. But it's been 84 years since an amateur won the US Open and last year only 1 made the cut and placed at a very respectful 20th place (+7) but not exactly in contention. Seeing as how the courses become more and more difficult, what's the point of ams even attempting the US Open qualifiers? Is it just a cash grab by the USGA because they know people are going to sign up? Does the Open even serve a purpose other than showing how insanely difficult these courses can be?

I guess I'm just not seeing the reason for having it open to amateur golfers when we all know (as well as the USGA) that the vast majority of them will never qualify for it and if they do qualify they will most likely miss the cut.

Braden Thornberry finished 2 shots out of a playoff yesterday against arguably, a less than formidable field. Nick Hardy was top 20 at last year's USO; Justin Rose finished 3rd in the Open Championship as an AM. There are a ton of extremely talented players, just look at the number of AM's that made it to the US Open field. With that said, I'm not sure that the pressure of Sunday is something that they could handle easily.

Five amateur's have won the US open Bobby Jones being one of them.

Who can ever forget the great Shia LaBeouf winning the U.S. Open in 2005. Wait that was a movie.

Since Hagen really raised the status of the professional golfer there has been no turning back.

Five amateur's have won the US open Bobby Jones being one of them.

Did you even read what I said? It's been 84 years since an Am won the Open. I never said an am hasn't won it. But none of us alive were around to see if.

Five amateur's have won the US open Bobby Jones being one of them.

 

Did you even read what I said? It's been 84 years since an Am won the Open. I never said an am hasn't won it. But none of us alive were around to see if.

Sorry I missed that part as I just glanced over it.

Sure, it will happen once in a while where an Am will have a really great week.

Beau Hossler gave it a pretty good run at Olympic.

It wasn't that long ago that Justin Rose finished T-4 (different Open, but comparable situation).

I would imagine a high finish at a major is a huge help when it comes to signing those first endorsement deals after turning pro.

It's right there in the name. If you don't open it to qualifiers, you'd have to call it The Players Championship and we'd have to watch that stupid island green for four more days.

What would you call it if it wasn't truly open?

If the USGA ever does move to a different handicap system where only competition scores are used - then you could see a reduced number of ams attempting to qualify. But an Open should be an Open - as long as you have demonstrated that your game meets the required level of play. What the number should be, I don't know. Frankly I don't see why anyone who is not a true plus 3 or better - with good results at big tournaments - bothers to sign up. Some ams fit that description and it is understandable they would give it a go.

I think an amateur will eventually come close but I'm not sure about actually winning.As hard as the US Open is, the setups actually neutralize the field.

Everyone has a shot, except for Luke Donald. You can't be short and wayward off the tee.

Keep in mind that Paul Dunne was the co-leader after 54 holes in the 2015 Open Championship which was barely 2 years ago and he wasn't even in the top 100 of the WAGR when he qualified for the tournament. I understand they are different competitions but both US Open and Open Championship have very similar fields so that's the reason I bring it up.

I doubt an amateur will win a US Open anytime soon but stranger things have happened and I can definitely imagine one having a good week and coming close... Furthermore the competition itself is called the US Open for a reason so I also highly doubt the USGA is going to stop allowing amateurs to enter anytime soon.

What about that guy a few years ago who wore the Longhorn cap? Wasn't that the US Open?

What about that guy a few years ago who wore the Longhorn cap? Wasn't that the US Open?

Beau Hossler in 2012. He shot 76 in the final round and finished T29

I doubt an amateur will ever win the US Open ever again. But you just never know, and that is the beauty. This event keeps the dream alive. It's like capitalism, the rich get richer, but because of the format, there is always a glimmer of hope. I'd say the brutal course set up does just the opposite of "neutralizing the playing field", only the best of the best playing their best have any hope over 72 holes at the US Open.

I think inevitably an amateur will be in contention on Sunday in the coming years. As we've seen, the gap between the top college players is shrinking and if a guy gets hot that week its certainly possible.

An amateur will some day win the US Open and the Masters.

absolutely certain an am will be in contention in the near future because the top D1 players are stupid good and all it takes is for one of them to post 2 low rounds and you have a story. eventually an am will win one.

Dear Sirs and Madams,

Please do not ever lose or change the "Open"-ness of either The US Open or the Open Championship.

Thank you

Your friend

Vindog

What about that guy a few years ago who wore the Longhorn cap? Wasn't that the US Open?

 

Beau Hossler in 2012. He shot 76 in the final round and finished T29

Ah. Thanks.

No chance an AM wins the US Open again. The caliber of the professionals is too high today for that to ever happen.

I would bet my house on it, if I could. The field v an amateur? That is free money.

If there was a guy who had Tiger talent and Frank Stranahan money, who could play a professional schedule, then maybe. Phil won at Phoenix as an am, Scott Verplank won the old Western Open as an am, so it can happen. If a pure am won a PGA Tour event, would he have the two year exemption?

Jack came very close at Cherry Hills. It will take a special kind of talent but I won't rule out the possibility.

No chance an AM wins the US Open again. The caliber of the professionals is too high today for that to ever happen.

 

I would bet my house on it, if I could. The field v an amateur? That is free money.

I'll bet you a gazillion dollars that at some point in the future an am will win the us open.

At least I'll never have to pay...

If there was a guy who had Tiger talent and Frank Stranahan money, who could play a professional schedule, then maybe. Phil won at Phoenix as an am, Scott Verplank won the old Western Open as an am, so it can happen. If a pure am won a PGA Tour event, would he have the two year exemption?

If only we had a relatively recent example...

Amateurs play well enough often enough in the three majors they play in that I have to think that one of them will fluke out and win a major eventually. Marginal tour players back into majors all the time, no reason why an am can't do it.

Amateurs play well enough often enough in the three majors they play in that I have to think that one of them will fluke out and win a major eventually. Marginal tour players back into majors all the time, no reason why an am can't do it.

Over a long enough timeline, the improbable becomes probable

So....yes

Amateurs have won PGA Tour events, US Amateur Champions Scott Verplank and Phil Mickelson are two examples.

Amateur men have won the US Open Championship, but the focus on the game is different for professionals and amateurs.

Equipment is light years different.

$$$$$$$ rules.

Catherine Lacoste, daughter of Tennis Champion Rene Lacoste ("Le Crocodile") won the US Womens Open in 1967.

If an Amateur does win the US Open, it is more than likely to be the US Womens Open, but again, $$$$$$$ rules.

Amateurs have won PGA Tour events, US Amateur Champions Scott Verplank and Phil Mickelson are two examples.

 

Amateur men have won the US Open Championship, but the focus on the game is different for professionals and amateurs.

 

Equipment is light years different.

 

$$$$$$$ rules.

 

Catherine Lacoste, daughter of Tennis Champion Rene Lacoste ("Le Crocodile") won the US Womens Open in 1967.

 

If an Amateur does win the US Open, it is more than likely to be the US Womens Open, but again, $$$$$$$ rules.

I don't understand what you're trying to say.

The thread title does say "come close to winning" so I'll say yes.

If a pure am won a PGA Tour event, would he have the two year exemption?