Sunday 20th August 2023

Nick DUNLAP (USA), 19, has won the 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship beating Neal SHIPLEY (USA) by 4&3 in the 36-hole Final at Cherry Hills G.C.

Nick Dunlap with the Haveymeyer Trophy (Photo: USGA)

The match was All-Square at lunch after both players shot 5-under 65’s neither showing any signs of Championship nerves.

Dunlap pulled away on the front nine in the afternoon shooting a 5-under 30. Biridies on the 21st, 22nd and a winning par on the 25th proved to be the pivotal holes. He comfortably saw the game out over the final nine holes.

It was some turnaround for Dunlap who made a near disastrous start to the stroke play qualifying last Monday at Colorado C.C. where he found himself 5-over after seven holes. Eventually he sorted himself out and qualified for the match play in 41st place.

Dunlap, who had already been selected by the USGA for the USA Walker Cup team, extended his outstanding match play record since Spring 2021 to Played 32, Won 30, Lost 2.

He became only the second player to win both the U.S. Junior Amateur and U.S. Amateur Championships, following in the footsteps of Tiger Woods. Of course Woods amazingly won each Championship three times in six consecutive years between 1991-96.

Dunlap said “This is why I practice. This is why I get up early, just for moments like this. The first tee when they announce your name to the last green whether you win or lose, it’s special just to be a part of the United States Amateur and what it stands for.”

Shipley was gracious in defeat “Nick played great, and he just made a lot of putts on me this afternoon. That’s what it takes to win these things. He has what it takes, obviously, and I just didn’t play my best. I got out-dueled today.”

MP Final Hole-By-Hole Results (Graphic: USGA)

Dunlap is a rising sophomore at the University of Alabama whilst Shipley is a graduate student at Ohio State University having transferred to Ohio from James Madison University last year.

Both finalists earned spots in the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National and 2024 U.S. Open Championship which will be played at Pinehurst Resort. In addition Dunlap will also receive an exemption into The Open Championship at Royal Troon, subject to remaining an amateur.

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Results

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Saturday 19th August 2023

Nick DUNLAP, 19, beat Parker BELL, 19, by 3&2 whilst Neal SHIPLEY, 22, overcame John MARSHALL BUTLER, 21, by 2 &1 in the Semi-Finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship at Cherry Hills C.C.

Shipley was 3Down after 10 holes to Butler before fighting back superbly to win with a conceded birdie on the 17th after his approach finished inches away from the island green hole.

Bell and Butler earn exemptions into the the next two U.S. Amateur Championships.

MP Semi-Finals Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Scoreboard

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Friday 18th August 2023

USA foursome Nick DUNLAP, 19 and WAGR ranked #9, Parker BELL, 19 and ranked #534, Neal SHIPLEY, 22 and ranked #132 and John MARSHALL BUTLER, 21 and ranked #51, all came through tightly contested Quarter Finals in Denver.

Nick Dunlap has already been selected for the 2023 USA Walker Cup Team but the other three, who were not in the picture before this week, have that carrot now well and truly in front of them.

MP Quarter Finals Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Scoreboard

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Thursday 17th August 2023

Match Play – Round of 16

The Round of 16 games in the 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship started at 2.00pm MDT (9.00pm BST) at Cherry Hills C.C. Due to darkness the final game in the series had to be completed on Friday morning.

Ten of the 16 players to make it this far were qualifiers with the remainder picking up exemptions from the USGA.

Ben JAMES’ (USA) victory over David FORD (USA) was the most noteworthy and has greatly increased his chances of making this year’s USA Walker Cup team.

Neal SHIPLEY (USA) and Andi XU (CHN) conquerors of Calum Scott and Matt McClean in previous rounds, also overcame another hurdle in the afternoon.

MP Round of 16 Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Scoreboard

Match Play – Round of 32

Calum SCOTT (SCO) lost on the 20th Hole to Neal SHIPLEY (USA) thus ending GB&I interest in this year’s Championship. This game again demonstrated the narrow margins involved in top class match play golf.

Calum Scott v. Neal Shipley MP Round of 32 Hole-by-Hole Scores (Graphic: USGA)

The three co-medalists Blades BROWN (USA),16, Sampson ZHENG (CHN), 22, and Jackson BUCHANAN (USA), 21, all lost in the Round of 32.

Andi XU (CHN) and Jose ISLAS (MEX) are now the only non-American players left in the Championship.

Here are the complete Round of 32 results from Cherry Hills C.C.: –

MP Round of 32 Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Scoreboard

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Wednesday 16th August 2023

Match Play – Round of 64

Calum SCOTT (SCO) birdied the final two holes to get the better of Bastien AMAT (FRA) by 2 Holes in what was clearly a high quality and very competitive match.

Calum Scott v. Bastien Amat MP Round of 64 Hole-by-Hole Scores (Graphic: USGA)

Scott is now the last GB&I man standing as Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) fell by 1 Hole to China’s Andi XU in his Round of 64 game.

Calum will be one of just six overseas players left in the Championship heading into the Round of 32.

Andi Xu v. Matt McClean MP Round of 64 Hole-by-Hole Scores (Graphic: USGA)

Co-medalists Blades BROWN (USA),16, Sampson ZHENG (CHN), 22, and Jackson BUCHANAN (USA), 21, all safely negotiated their first round matches.

In the ‘game of the round’ between two 2023 USA Walker Cup players from Alabama Nick DUNLAP (USA), 19, beat big hitting World No. 1 Gordon SARGENT (USA), 20, by 2&1.

Luke CLANTON (USA), Jackson VAN PARIS (USA), Karl VILIPS (AUS), who was ‘celebrating’ his 22nd birthday, Maxwell MOLDOVAN (USA), Preston SUMMERHAYS (USA) and Dylan MENANTE (USA) joined Sargent amongst the higher profile casualties on Day 1 of the Match Play Stage.

Grant SMITH (USA), 28, is now the only mid-amateur remaining in the Championship after he beat Piercen HUNT (CAN) by 1 Hole.

14 of the 32 matches went to the 18th hole with three of them requiring extra holes too.

Here are the complete Round of 64 results from Cherry Hills C.C.: –

MP Round of 64 Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Scoreboard

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Tuesday 15th August 2023

Stroke Play Qualifying – Round 2

Calum SCOTT (SCO), 19, was GB&I’s leading qualifier after he produced a round of 68 (-4) at Colorado G.C. which included three consecutive birdies on his back nine. His 139 (-4) total was good enough for a tied 10th finish and the 15th seed.

Matt MCCLEAN (IRL), 30, joined Calum in the MP Stage. His 143 (Ev) total saw the Northern Irishman finish in tied 50th place, taking the 58th seed.

The other GB&I competitors missed the cut by some distance. Barclay BROWN (ENG) bounced back well with a 70 (-2) at Colorado but still finished Qualifying outside the top 100.

GB&I SP Qualifying Results (Graphic: USGA)

16 year old Blades BROWN (USA) became the youngest co-medalist in Championship history after a course record sharing 64 (-8) at Colorado G.C. helped him to secure the Number 1 seeding.

Sampson ZHENG (CHN), 22, and Jackson BUCHANAN (USA), 21, shared medalist honours on 136 (-7) with all three receiving silver medals in recognition of their achievements.

Piercen HUNT (USA), Maxwell FORD (USA), Caleb SURRATT (USA) and Andi XU (CHN) finished one stroke further back on 137 (-6).

As expected the cut fell at 143 (Ev) with the USGA no doubt pleased to see a clean 64 achieve this mark. The Even par match play cut was the joint lowest ever and it was the first time since 2000 that no play-off has been required to finalise the match play field.

The average Round 2 scores were 75.25, +4.25 (Rd 1 75.55, +4.55) at Cherry Hills C.C. and 73.75, +1.75 (Rd 1 75.26, +3.26) at Colorado G.C.

GB&I SP Qualifying Top 10 Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Leaderboard

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Monday 14th August 2023

Stroke Play Qualifying – Round 1

Despite finishing bogey-double bogey on the 8th and 9th holes at Cherry Hills Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) still posted a 71 (-2) in his opening Stroke Play Qualifying round to finish the day in tied 15th place.

Calum SCOTT (SCO) recorded a 71 (Ev) at Cherry Hills to sit tied 45th; a solid foundation to work from tomorrow.

The remaining six GB&I players will require something special to feature in the Match Play Stage after disappointing rounds.

Sampson ZHENG (CHN) leads Qualifying after a 66 (-6) at Colorado G.C. Ben JAMES (USA) and Riggs JOHNSTON (-5) were both one shot shy of him at the same course on Day 1.

After 18 holes 44 players are on -1 or better and 74 players are on Ev par or better which suggests tomorrow’s top 64 cut will fall on par (143) if playing conditions remain broadly the same.

The average Round 1 scores, taking into account the play of all 312 competitors, were 75.55, +4.55 at Cherry Hills C.C. and 75.26, +3.26 at Colorado G.C.

GB&I SP Qualifying Round 1 Scores / Round 2 Tee Times (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Leaderboard

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11th August 2023

Here are the Stroke Play Qualifying tee times (MDT) for the eight GB&I players who are competing: –

Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) – 7.55am (10-CH) / 1.25pm (1-CGC)
Barclay BROWN (ENG) – 1.03pm (10-CH) / 7.33am (1-CGC)
John GOUGH (ENG) – 1.03pm (10-CH) / 7.33am (1-CGC)
Hugh FOLEY (IRL) – 1.25pm (1-CH) / 7.55am (10-CGC)
Jonathan BALE (WAL) – 1.58pm (10-CH) / 8.28am (1-CGC)
Conor GOUGH (ENG) – 1.58pm (10-CGC) / 8.28am (1-CH)
Mark POWER (IRL) – 1.58pm (10-CGC) / 8.28am (1-CH)
Calum SCOTT (SCO) – 2.20pm (10-CH) / 8.50am (1-CGC)

CH – Cherry Hills G.C. / CGC – Colorado Golf Club

Denver is seven hours behind Great Britain & Ireland.

Click here to view the – U.S. Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Tee Times

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9th August 2023 (Updated 11th August 2023)

Introduction

The 123rd U.S. Amateur Championship is being played at Cherry Hills Country Club and Colorado Golf Club, near Denver in Colorado.

Administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA) the U.S. Amateur is the most important and prestigious individual competition in the amateur golf calendar.

I will be updating this article with more information as it becomes available and daily reports once play gets underway.

2023 Field

8,253 entries, a record, were received by the USGA for this year’s Championship.

312 players, who were either exempt or who came through pre-qualifying, from 23 different countries will be competing.

Exemptions were granted based on past performances in previous amateur championships, selection for the Walker Cup teams and World Amateur Golf Rankings.

91 qualifying events, all played over 36 holes, were staged between 26th June and 25th July to make up the rest of the field. Click here to view all of the – 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship Qualifying Results.

The youngest player is Sohan Patel (USA) who is 14 years old and the oldest Gene Elliott (USA) who is 61.

The USGA has already selected Nick DUNLAP 19, David FORD 20, Gordon SARGENT 20, Caleb SURRATT 19 and Michael THORBJORNSEN* 21 to it’s 2023 USA Walker Cup team and all of them are playing in the Championship. The remainder of the USA team will be announced after the Final is completed on Sunday.

*On 9th August 2023 Thorbjornsen withdrew from the U.S. Amateur and the forthcoming Walker Cup match with a stress fracture in his back.

Christo LAMPRECHT (RSA), the Amateur champion, is not competing this week. He has recently undergone eye surgery and is recuperating at home in South Africa.

There are eight Great British & Irish (GB&I) players in the 2023 field. They are: –

Jonathan BALE (WAL) 35 – Qualifier: Rose Creek G.C., Oklahoma on 17th July 2023
Barclay BROWN (ENG) 22 – Exemption: U.S. Open 2023 / Walker Cup GB&I Team 2021 / WAGR Top 50 on 14th June 2023
Conor GOUGH (ENG) 20 – Exemption: Walker Cup GB&I Team 2019
John GOUGH (ENG) 24 – Exemption: WAGR Top 50 on 14th June 2023
Hugh FOLEY (IRL) 26 – Exemption: U.S. Mid-Amateur Runner-Up 2022
Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) 30 – Exemption: U.S. Mid-Amateur Champion 2022
Mark POWER (IRL) 23 – Exemption: Walker Cup GB&I Team 2021
Calum SCOTT (SCO) 19 – Exemption: WAGR Top 50 on 14th June 2023

There were 9 GB&I players at Ridgewood last year, 5 at Oakmont in 2021, 11 at Bandon Dunes in 2020, 11 at Pinehurst in 2019, 7 at Pebble Beach in 2018, 9 at Riviera in 2017 and 11 at Oakland Hills in 2016.

Format / Schedule

36-holes of stroke play (SP) will determine the top 64 match play (MP) qualifiers. Ties for the last qualifying place will be resolved by a sudden death play-off.

Six 18 hole MP rounds will then be played culminating in a 36-hole Championship Final. Extra holes will be played to resolve any halved games.

Monday 14th August – SP Qualifying Round 1 (Cherry Hills and Colorado – 18 holes)
Tuesday 15th August – SP Qualifying Round 2 (Cherry Hills and Colorado – 18 holes)
Wednesday 16th August – SP Qualifying Play-Off / MP Round of 64 (Cherry Hills – 18 holes)
Thursday 17th August – MP Rounds of 32 and 16 (Cherry Hills – 18 holes)
Friday 18th August – MP Quarter Finals (Cherry Hills – 18 holes )
Saturday 19th August – MP Semi-Finals (Cherry Hills – 18 holes)
Sunday 20th August – MP Championship Final (Cherry Hills – 36 holes)

Host Courses

Both courses, which are 23 miles apart, are located South of Denver, the state capital of Colorado.

Cherry Hills Country Club – stroke play and match play
7,405 yards (Red) / Par 71 / Course Rating 75.5  / Slope Rating 145.
Located in Cherry Hills Village it opened in 1923.
Originally deisgned by William Flynn it was restored by Tom Oak and his Renaissance Golf Design team over 10 years from 2008.
It has previously hosted the U.S. Open Championship in 1938 (Ralph Guildhall), 1960 (Arnold Palmer) and 1978 (Andy North), the PGA Championship in 1941 (Vic Ghezzi) and 1985 (Hubert Green), the U.S. Women’s Open Championship in 2005 (Birdie Kim), the U.S. Senior Open Championship in 1993 (Jack Nicklaus). the U.S. Amateur Championship in 1990 (Phil Mickelson) and 2012 (Steven Fox) and the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 1983 (Jay Sigel).

Colorado Golf Club – stroke play co-host
7,560 yards (Black) / Par 72 / Course Rating 76.5 / Slope Rating 152.
Located in Parker it opened in 2007.
Designed by Bill Moore and Ben Crenshaw.
It has already hosted the Senior PGA Championship in 2010 (Tom Lehman), the Solheim Cup in 2013 (Europe) and the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in 2019 (Lukas Michel).

Weather Forecast (as at 14th August 2023)

The weather forecast looks ideal for the whole Championship week with sunny conditions and light breezes expected.

Stroke Play Qualifying
Mon 14th August – Sunny / Wind 8mph NE / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 26°C.
Tues 15th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 8mph NE / Temp. Min. 17°C, Max. 32°C.

Match Play Stage
Weds 16th August – Sunny / Wind 9mph W / Temp. Min. 17°C, Max. 34°C.
Thurs 17th August – Sunny / Wind 9mph SE  / Temp. Min. 19°C, Max. 34°C.
Fri 18th August – Sunny / Wind 11mph W  / Temp. Min. 19°C, Max. 34°C.
Sat 19th August – Sunny, PM Showers / Wind 7mph NE / Temp. Min. 18°C, Max. 32°C.
Sun 20th August – Sunny / Wind 11mph E / Temp. Min. 17°C, Max. 32°C.

Prizes

The 2023 U.S. Amateur champion will receive the following: –

a) A gold medal and custody of the Havemeyer Trophy for the following year;
b) An exemption to play in the 2024 U.S. Open which is being staged at Pinehurst Resort No. 2 in North Carolina;

and assuming they remain amateur,
c) An invitation to play in the 2024 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club;
d) An exemption to play in the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon Golf Club;
e) An exemption to play in the 2024 – 2033 U.S. Amateur Championships;

and unofficially

f) Various invitations to play in PGA Tour and DP World Tour events.

If the champion is American they are also guaranteed a place on the 2023 USA Walker Cup Team that will travel to St. Andrews for the match against Great Britain & Ireland in September.

A Silver Medal is awarded to the runner-up and Bronze Medals to the two losing semi-finalists.

A Silver Medal is also awarded to the stroke play medalist(s).

The original silver Havemeyer Trophy was presented to the U.S.G.A. on March 1895 in honour of the Association’s first President Theodore A. Havemeyer. This was lost in a fire at Bobby Jones’ home club, East Lake, in 1925.

A new gold trophy was produced in 1926. This was retired in 1992 with a copy of the trophy being produced and passed from champion to champion ever since. Sadly the original gold trophy was stolen from the U.S.G.A. Museum in 2012 and has never been seen since.

US Amateur Information

Click here to view the – USGA’S U.S. Amateur Championship Official Website

Spectators / Television Coverage

Some highlights of the SP Qualifying will be shown on the USGA website and social media channels.

In the USA Peacock and Golf Channel will be covering the MP stage.

In the UK Sky Sports Golf normally takes the U.S. television feed, via the Red Button, over the final match play weekend.

2022 U.S. Amateur Championship

Sam BENNETT (USA), 22, beat Ben CARR (USA), also 22, by 1-Hole in the 36-hole Final of the 122nd U.S. Amateur Championship at The Ridgewood Country Club.

Bennett, who returned to Texas A&M University for a 5th Year in 2022/23 before turning pro in May, said: “It’s a dream come true. It means a lot to hold that trophy. I’m sure I’ll take a peek at all the names, but I know Tiger Woods’ name is on it three times, and to put my name beside him, I know it’s something special.” said the new champion afterwards.

Sam Bennett With The Havemeyer Trophy (Photo: USGA / Grant Halverson)

Sam BENNETT (USA) beat Dylan MENANTE (USA) by 1 Hole in the opening Semi-Final whilst Ben CARR (USA) overcame Derek HITCHNER (USA) by 3&2 in the other.

Three GB&I players, Sam BAIRSTOW (ENG) #44, Josh HILL (ENG) #35 and Mark POWER (IRL) #11, qualified for the MP Stage but sadly all fell at the first hurdle, the Round of 64. Bairstow lost 3&1 to Stewart HAGESTAD (USA) #21, Hill lost 2&1 Campbell KREMER (USA) #30 and Power lost 3&2 to Walker ISLEY (USA) #54.

The SP Qualifying concluded with 68 of the 312 competitors still involved in the Championship. 53 players on +4 and better secured their spots directly in the Round of 64 MP draw. The remaining 15, who all finished with +5 totals, needed to participate in a play-off to determine who would take the final 11 places. Walker Isley was one of the successful players.

Fred BIONDI (BRA), Luke GUTSCHEWSKI (USA), Hugo TOWNSEND (SWE) and Michael THORBJORNSEN (USA), who double bogeyed his final hole, shared medalist honours after recording 36-hole scores of 138 (-3). 2022 is the first time the Championship has produced four co-medalists.

Hugo Townsend, who was born in Ireland and now resides in and represents Sweden, is the son of the 1965 GB&I Walker Cup player Peter Townsend.

Michael Thorbjornsen, Hugo Townsend, Fred Biondi and Luke Gutschewski (Photo: USGA)

Gordon SARGENT (USA) produced the best round of the SP Qualifying competition in Round 2, a bogey free 65 (-5) at Arcola Country Club, to take the 5th seed.

Mark POWER (IRL), who was the leading GB&I player, finished his second round 68 with an eagle to secure an impressive top 10 result.

Power was joined by Englishmen Josh HILL (+3) and Sam BAIRSTOW (+4) in the MP Stage after both produced good second rounds to comfortably make the mark.

GB&I Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – 2022 U.S. Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying and Match Play Results

U.S. Amateur Championship History

The U.S. Amateur is the oldest golf championship in America and 2023 will see its 123rd playing.

It was first played in 1895, the winner being Charles B. Macdonald.

It has always been decided by match play save for an 8 year period between 1965 and 1972 when the winner was determined solely by stroke play.

Former U.S. winners include Walter Travis (1900-01-03), Jerome Travers (1907-08-12-13), Bobby Jones (1924-25-27-28-30), Francis Ouimet (1914-31), W. Lawson Little (1934-35) Arnold Palmer (1954), Jack Nicklaus (1959-61), Deane Beman (1960-63), Lanny Wadkins (1970), Craig Stadler (1973), Mark O’Meara (1979), Hal Sutton (1980), Phil Mickelson (1990), Justin Leonard (1992), Tiger Woods (1994-95-96), Matt Kucher (1997), Ryan Moore (2004) and Bryson DeChambeau (2015).

The last five winners, 2022-2018, have been Sam Bennett (USA), James Piot (USA), Tyler Strafaci (USA), Andy Ogletree (USA) and Viktor Hovland (NOR).

British players have won the Championship on six occasions but just twice in the last 100 years – H.J. Whigham (1896-97), Findlay Douglas (1898), Harold Hilton (1911), Richie Ramsay (2006) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013).

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Photo: U.S.G.A.)

Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (2018) are the only players from the Continent of Europe to have lifted the Havemeyer Trophy.

Click here to view the full list of past – U.S. Amateur Champions

Future U.S. Amateur Venues

For reasons I have never understood the USGA continue to allocate their Championship venues far out into the future: –

124th – 12-18 August 2024 – Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota
125th – 11-17 August 2025 – The Olympic Club, San Francisco, California
126th – 10-16 August 2026 – Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
127th – 09-15 August 2027 – Oak Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York
128th – TBD
129th – 13-19 August 2029 – Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
130th – 12-18 August 2030 – Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia
131st – 11-17 August 2031 – Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tennessee
132nd – TBD August 2032 – Bandon Dunes, Oregon
133rd – TBD August 2033 – Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington
141st – TBD August 2041 – Bandon Dunes, Oregon
147th – TBD August 2047 – Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
151st – TBD August 2051 – Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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Copyright © 2014-2023, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.