USGA exemption change benefits U.S. Am, Women's Am winners
August 5, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: U.S. Amateur, a USGA Championship, Merion Golf Club - East Course
The winners of the nation's biggest amateur events no longer have to remain amateur to reap their Open exemptions.
“We believe this change gives our champions an important option as they choose whether and when to embark on their professional careers,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships. “Given the significant purses awarded at the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, we realize how important it is for players to make the most appropriate decision for his or her career, and the positive impact it could have at the outset of their professional careers.”
“Given the opportunities afforded the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur champions, we want to make sure they are able to take advantage of as many as possible,” said Bodenhamer. “We feel strongly that our reigning champions have earned their places in the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, regardless of their amateur status.”
Viktor Hovland, last year’s U.S. Amateur winner, provides an example of how players can benefit from this new stipulation. Hovland waited until after the U.S. Open, where he tied for 12th, to turn professional. That meant he didn’t get to reap the FedEx Cup points or the money he would have earned with that finish.
Hovland narrowly missed earning enough non-member FedEx Cup points for a PGA Tour card for next season. He will now have to play the Korn Ferry Tour finals to attempt qualifying.
Quotes and information from the USGA used in this report
About the US Amateur
The U.S. Amateur, the oldest USGA championship, was first played in 1895 at Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island. The event, which has no age restriction, is open to those with a Handicap Index of .4 (point four) or lower. It is one of 15 national champ...
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