Until 1982 the Amateur Championship was decided entirely by match play over 18 holes, except for the final which, from 1896, was played over 36 holes.
In 1956 and 1957 the Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals were also played over 36 holes. In 1958 this was reduced to just the Semi-Finals before returning to the Final only thereafter.
In 1966 the Final at Carnoustie was reduced to 18 holes due to a sea haas making play impossible until the afternoon.
Since 1983 the Championship has started with two stroke play rounds of 18 holes each, played on two different courses. The 64 players and ties with the lowest 36 hole scores qualify for the match play stage.
In the table below the figure in brackets beneath each year is the Championship’s starting field size.
| Year | Champion | Result | Runner-Up | Venue(s) |
| 2019 (288) | James Sugrue Ireland |
3&2 | Euan Walker Scotland |
Portmarnock The Island |
| 2018 (288) | Jovan Rebula South Africa |
3&2 | Robin Dawson Ireland |
Royal Aberdeen Murcar Links |
| 2017 (288) | Harry Ellis Meon Valley |
38th | Dylan Perry Australia |
Royal St George’s Prince’s |
| 2016 (288) | Scott Gregory Corhampton |
2&1 | Robert MacIntyre Glencruitten |
Royal Porthcawl Pyle & Kenfig |
| 2015 (288) | Romain Langasque France |
4&2 | Grant Forrest Craigielaw |
Carnoustie Panmure |
| 2014 (288) | Bradley Neil Blairgowrie |
2&1 | Zander Lombard South Africa |
Royal Portrush Portstewart |
| 2013 (288) | Garrick Porteous Bamburgh Castle |
6&5 | Toni Hakula Finland |
Royal Cinque Ports Prince’s |
| 2012 (288) | Alan Dunbar Rathmore |
1 hole | Matthias Schwab Austria |
Royal Troon Glasgow (Gailes) |
| 2011 (288) | Bryden Macpherson Australia |
3&2 | Michael Stewart Troon Welbeck |
Hillside Hesketh |
| 2010 (288) | Jin Jeong South Korea |
5&4 | James Byrne Banchory |
Muirfield North Berwick |
| 2009 (288) | Matteo Manassero Italy |
4&3 | Sam Hutsby Liphook |
Formby West Lancashire |
| 2008 (288) | Reinier Saxton Netherlands |
3&2 | Tommy Fleetwood Formby |
Turnberry Ailsa & Kintyre |
| 2007 (288) | Drew Weaver USA |
2&1 | Tim Stewart Australia |
Royal Lytham St Annes Old |
| 2006 (288) | Julien Guerrier France |
4&3 | Adam Gee Leatherhead |
Royal St George’s Prince’s |
| 2005 (288) | Brian McElhinney North West |
5&4 | John Gallagher Swanston |
Royal Birkdale S & A |
| 2004 (288) | Stuart Wilson Forfar |
4&3 | Lee Corfield Burnham&Berrow |
St Andrews Old & Jubilee |
| 2003 (288) | Gary Wolstenholme Kilworth Springs |
6&5 | Raphael De Sousa Switzerland |
Royal Troon Irvine |
| 2002 (288) | Alejandro Larrazabal Spain |
1 hole | Martin Sell Wrag Barn |
Royal Porthcawl Pyle & Kenfig |
| 2001 (288) | Michael Hoey Shandon Park |
1 hole | Ian Campbell Marlborough |
Prestwick Kilmarnock |
| 2000 (288) | Mikko Ilonen Finland |
2&1 | Christian Reimbold Germany |
Royal Liverpool Wallasey |
| 1999 (288) | Graeme Storm Wynyard |
7&6 | Aran Wainwright Garforth |
R. County Down Kilkeel |
| 1998 (288) | Sergio Garcia Spain |
7&6 | Craig Williams Creigiau |
Muirfield Gullane No.1 |
| 1997 (288) | Craig Watson East Renfrewshire |
3&2 | Trevor Immelman South Africa |
Royal St George’s R. Cinque Ports |
| 1996 (288) | Warren Bladon Kenilworth |
1 hole | Roger Beames Wick |
Turnberry Ailsa Turnberry Arran |
| 1995 (288) | Gordon Sherry Kilmarnock Barassie |
7&6 | Michael Reynard Moseley |
Royal Liverpool Wallasey |
| 1994 (288) | Lee James Broadstone |
2&1 | Gordon Sherry Kilmarnock |
Nairn Nairn Dunbar |
| 1993 (288) | Iain Pyman Sand Moor |
37th | Paul Page Dartford |
Royal Portrush Dunluce & Valley |
| 1992 (281) | Stephen Dundas Haggs Castle |
7&6 | Bradley Dredge Bryn Meadows |
Carnoustie Panmure |
| 1991 (263) | Gary Wolstenholme Bristol & Clifton |
8&6 | Bob May USA |
Ganton Scarborough NC |
| 1990 (288) | Rolf Muntz Netherlands |
7&6 | Michael Macara Maesdu |
Muirfield Luffness New |
| 1989 (285) | Stephen Dodd Brynhill |
5&3 | Craig Cassells Murcar |
Royal Birkdale Hillside |
| 1988 (288) | Christian Hardin Sweden |
1 hole | Ben Fouchee South Africa |
Royal Porthcawl Pyle & Kenfig |
| 1987 (288) | Paul Mayo Newport |
3&1 | Peter McEvoy Copt Heath |
Prestwick P. St Nicholas |
| 1986 (288) | David Curry Prudhoe |
11&9 | S Geoffrey Birtwell Fairhaven |
Royal Lytham St Annes Old |
| 1985 (287) | Garth McGimpsey Bangor |
8&7 | G. Homewood Ashford Manor |
Royal Dornoch Golspie |
| 1984 (291) | Jose Maria Olazabal Spain |
5&4 | Colin Montgomerie Ilkley |
Formby S & A |
| 1983 (288) | Philip Parkin Newtown |
5&4 | Jim Holtgrieve USA |
Turnberry |
| 1982 (245) | Martin S Thompson Middlesbrough |
4&3 | A K Stubbs Leek |
Royal Cinque Ports |
| 1981 (256) | Philippe Ploujoux France |
4&2 | Joel Hirsch USA |
St Andrews |
| 1980 (250) | Duncan Evans Leek |
4&3 | David Suddards South Africa |
Royal Porthcawl |
| 1979 (256) | Jay Sigel USA |
3&2 | Scott Hoch USA |
Hillside |
| 1978 (256) | Peter McEvoy Copt Heath |
4&3 | Paul McKellar East Renfrewshire |
Royal Troon |
| 1977 (233) | Peter McEvoy Copt Heath |
5&4 | Hugh M Campbell Falkirk Tryst |
Ganton |
| 1976 (256) | Dick Siderowf USA |
37th | John C Davies Royal Mid-Surrey |
St Andrews |
| 1975 (205) | Vinny Giles III USA |
8&7 | Mark James Burghley Park |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1974 (254) | T W B Homer Walsall |
2 holes | Jimmy Gabrielsen USA |
Muirfield |
| 1973 (222) | Dick Siderowf USA |
5&3 | P H Moody Notts |
Royal Porthcawl |
| 1972 (251) | T W B Homer Walsall |
4&3 | Alan Thirlwell Gosforth |
Royal St George’s |
| 1971 (254) | Steve Melnyk USA |
3&2 | Jim Simons USA |
Carnoustie |
| 1970 (256) | Michael Bonallack Thorpe Hall |
8&7 | Bill Hyndman III USA |
Royal County Down |
| 1969 (245) | Michael Bonallack Thorpe Hall |
3&2 | Bill Hyndman III USA |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1968 (249) | Michael Bonallack Thorpe Hall |
7&6 | Joe Carr Sutton |
Troon |
| 1967 (237) | Bob Dickson USA |
2&1 | Ron Cerrudo USA |
Formby |
| 1966 (206) | Bobby Cole South Africa |
3&2 | Ronnie Shade Duddingston |
Carnoustie |
| 1965 (176) | Michael Bonallack Thorpe Hall |
2&1 | Clive A Clark Ganton |
Royal Porthcawl |
| 1964 (210) | Gordon J Clark Whitley Bay |
39th | Michael Lunt Moseley |
Ganton |
| 1963 (255) | Michael Lunt Moseley |
2&1 | John G Blackwell Royal & Ancient |
St Andrews |
| 1962 (256) | Richard D Davies USA |
1 hole | John K D Povall Whitchurch |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1961 (215) | Michael Bonallack Thorpe Hall |
6&4 | James Walker Irvine |
Turnberry |
| 1960 (183) | Joe Carr Sutton |
8&7 | Bob Cochran USA |
Royal Portrush |
| 1959 (200) | Deane Beman USA |
3&2 | Bill Hyndman III USA |
Royal St George’s |
| 1958 (200) | Joe Carr Sutton |
3&2 | Alan Thirlwell Gosforth |
St Andrews |
| 1957 (198) | Robert Reid Jack Dullatur |
2&1 | Harold B Ridgley Sandy Lodge |
Formby |
| 1956 (200) | John Beharrell Little Aston |
5&4 | Leslie G Taylor Ranfurly Castle |
Troon |
| 1955 (248) | Joe Conrad USA |
3&2 | Alan Slater Wakefield |
Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 1954 (305) | D W Bachli Australia |
2&1 | Bill Campbell USA |
Muirfield |
| 1953 (258) | Joe Carr Sutton |
2 holes | Harvie Ward USA |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1952 (283) | Harvie Ward USA |
7&5 | Frank Stranahan USA |
Prestwick |
| 1951 (195) | Dick Chapman USA |
5&4 | Charlie Coe USA |
Royal Porthcawl |
| 1950 (322) | Frank Stranahan USA |
8&6 | Dick Chapman USA |
St Andrews |
| 1949 (202) | Max McCready Sunningdale |
2&1 | William Turnesa USA |
Portmarnock |
| 1948 (168) | Frank Stranahan USA |
5&4 | Charlie Stowe Penn |
Royal St George’s |
| 1947 (216) | William Turnesa USA |
3&2 | Dick Chapman USA |
Carnoustie |
| 1946 (263) | Jimmy Bruen Jr Cork |
4&3 | Robert Sweeny Jr Royal & Ancient |
Birkdale |
| 1940-1945 | World War II | |||
| 1939 (167) | Alex Kyle Sandmoor |
2&1 | Tony Duncan Southerndown |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1938 (237) | Charlie Yates USA |
3&2 | Cecil Ewing County Sligo |
Troon |
| 1937 (223) | Robert Sweeny Jr Royal & Ancient |
3&2 | Lionel Munn Royal St George’s |
Royal St George’s |
| 1936 (268) | Hector Thomson Williamwood |
2 holes | J Ferrier Australia |
St Andrews |
| 1935 (232) | Lawson Little USA |
1 hole | Dr W Tweddell Stourbridge | Royal Lytham & St Annes |
| 1934 (225) | Lawson Little USA |
14&13 | James Wallace Troon Portland) |
Prestwick |
| 1933 (267) | Hon Michael Scott Royal St George’s |
4&3 | T A Bourn Sunningdale |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1932 (235) | John De Forest Addington |
3&1 | Eric Fiddian Stourbridge |
Muirfield |
| 1931 (171) | Eric Martin Smith Royal St George’s |
1 hole | John De Forest Addington |
Westward Ho! |
| 1930 (272) | Bobby Jones USA |
7&6 | Roger Wethered Royal & Ancient |
St Andrews |
| 1929 (253) | Cyril Tolley Rye |
4&3 | John Nelson Smith Earlsferry Thistle |
Royal St George’s |
| 1928 (128) | Philip Perkins Castle Bromwich |
5&4 | Roger Wethered Worplesdon |
Prestwick |
| 1927 (197) | Dr William Tweddell Stourbridge |
7&6 | D E Landale Royal Liverpool |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1926 (207) | Jesse Sweetser USA |
6&5 | Alexander Simpson Lothianburn |
Muirfield |
| 1925 (151) | Robert Harris Royal & Ancient |
13&12 | Kenneth Fradgley Warren |
Royal North Devon |
| 1924 (201) | Ernest Holderness Walton Heath |
3&2 | Edward Storey Cambridge Uni. |
St Andrews |
| 1923 (209) | Roger Wethered Worplesdon |
7&6 | Robert Harris Royal & Ancient |
Royal Cinque Ports |
| 1922 (252) | Ernest Holderness Walton Heath |
1 hole | John Caven Cochrane Castle |
Prestwick |
| 1921 (223) | W I Hunter Walmer & Kingsdown |
12&11 | Allan J Graham Royal Liverpool |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1920 (165) | Cyril Tolley Rye |
37th | Robert A Gardner USA |
Muirfield |
| 1915-1919 | World War I | |||
| 1914 (232) | Laurence Jenkins Troon |
3&2 | Charles Hezlet (Royal Portrush) |
Royal St. George’s |
| 1913 (198) | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
6&5 | Robert Harris (Acton) |
St. Andrews |
| 1912 (134) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
38th | Abe Mitchell | Royal North Devon |
| 1911 (146) | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
4&3 | E A Lassen Lytham & St Annes |
Prestwick |
| 1910 (160) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
10&9 | Colin Aylmer Sidmouth |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1909 (170) | Robert Maxwell Tantallon |
1 hole | Cecil Hutchison Muirfield |
Muirfield |
| 1908 (197) | E A Lassen Lytham & St Annes |
7&6 | Herbert Taylor Richmond |
Royal St George’s |
| 1907 (200) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
6&4 | Charles A Palmer Royal & Ancient |
St Andrews |
| 1906 (166) | James Robb Prestwick St Nicholas |
4&3 | C C Lingen Sunningdale |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1905 (148) | A Gordon Barry St Andrews University |
3&2 | Hon Osmund Scott Royal North Devon |
Prestwick |
| 1904 (104) | Walter Travis USA |
4&3 | Edward Blackwell Royal & Ancient |
Royal St George’s |
| 1903 (142) | Robert Maxwell Tantallon |
7&5 | Horace Hutchinson Royal North Devon |
Muirfield |
| 1902 (104) | Charles Hutchings Royal Liverpool |
1 hole | Sidney Fry Mid-Surrey |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1901 (116) | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
1 hole | John Low Royal & Ancient |
St Andrews |
| 1900 (68) | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
9&7 | James Robb St Andrews New |
St George’s |
| 1899 (102) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
37th | Freddie Tait Black Watch |
Prestwick |
| 1898 (77) | Freddie Tait Black Watch |
7&5 | S Mure Fergusson Royal & Ancient |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1897 (74) | A J T Allan Edinburgh |
4&2 | James Robb St Andrews New |
Muirfield |
| 1896 (64) | Freddie Tait Black Watch |
8&7 | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
St George’s |
| 1895 (68) | Leslie BalfourMelville Royal Liverpool |
37th | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
St Andrews |
| 1894 (64) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
1 hole | S Mure Fergusson Royal & Ancient |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1893 (44) | Peter Anderson St Andrews University |
1 hole | John E Laidlay Muirfield |
Prestwick |
| 1892 (45) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
3&1 | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
St George’s |
| 1891 (50) | John E Laidlay Muifield |
37th | Harold Hilton Royal Liverpool |
St Andrews |
| 1890 (44) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
4&3 | John E Laidlay Muirfield |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1889 (40) | John E Laidlay Muifield |
2&1 | Leslie M Balfour Royal & Ancient |
St Andrews |
| 1888 (36) | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
5&4 | John E Laidlay Muirfield |
Prestwick |
| 1887 (33) | Horace Hutchinson Westward Ho! |
1 hole | John Ball Jr Royal Liverpool |
Royal Liverpool |
| 1886 (42) | Horace Hutchinson Royal & Ancient |
7&6 | Henry Lamb Royal Wimbledon |
St Andrews |
| 1885 (44) | A F Macfie Royal & Ancient |
7&6 | Horace Hutchinson Royal & Ancient |
Royal Liverpool |
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