Tag Archives: Justin Hastings

The Amateurs At The 2025 Open Championship

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Sunday 20th July 2025

Scottie SCHEFFLER  (USA) won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush G.C. with a 267 (-17) total.

No low amateur Silver Medal was awarded this year as none of the nine amateurs made the cut.

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Friday 18th July 2025

Round 2

None of the nine amateurs made the cut at the 153rd Open Championship meaning that the Silver Medal will again not been awarded at Royal Portrush. In 2019 none of the six amateurs were able to advance to the weekend rounds. 2019 was the last time the medal wasn’t awarded.

The best of the amateurs were Ethan FANG (USA) and Cameron ADAM (SCO) who both finished on 145 (+3), albeit Adam may feel the most aggrieved to miss out. After all he bogeyed his two final holes where as Fang finished his second round with a birdie.

As in 2019 the top 70 and ties 36 hole cut fell at 143 (+1). Exactly 70 players from 22 different countries progressed.

World No. 1 Scottie SCHEFFLER (USA) -10 leads Matt FITZPATRICK (ENG) -9 and Brian HARMAN (USA) & Haotong LI (CHN) -8 at the half-way stage. Scheffler’s 132 (-10) total is a new record for the first 36-holes of an Open played at Royal Portrush.

The average score in Round 2 was 72.224 (+1.224), lower than Round 1’s 73.038 (+2.038).

Round 2 Amateur Scoreboard (Graphic: PGA Tour & The Open / NTT DATA)

Click here to view the – 2025 Open Championship Leaderboard

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Thursday 17th July 2025

Round 1

Scottish pair Connor GRAHAM and Cameron ADAM were the best of the amateurs on Day 1 of The Open Championship after they both recorded 73’s (+2), finishing the opening round tied for 72nd at Royal Portrush G.C.

Justin HASTINGS (CAY) and Richard TEDER (EST) are 1-shot further back in tied 98th with European Amateur and Amateur champions, Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) and Ethan FANG (USA), tied 116th on +4.

2024 Amateur champion Jacob SKOV OLESEN (DEN), Haotong LI (CHN), Matt FITZPATRICK (ENG), Christiaan BEZUIDENHOUT (RSA) and Harris ENGLISH (USA) all shot 67’s to share the Round 1 lead on -4.

The average Round 1 score was 73.038 (+2.038).

Round 1 Amateur Scoreboard (Graphic: The Open / NTT DATA)

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Tuesday 15th July 2025

Round 1 & 2 Tee Times (BST)

The tee times for the two opening rounds were released on Tuesday afternoon: –

6.57am / 11.58am – Cameron SMITH (AUS) / Marco PENGE (ENG) / Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

8.36am / 1.37pm – Thorbjorn OLESEN (DEN) / Matthew JORDAN (ENG) / Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH)

9.14am / 2.15pm – Takumi KANAYA (JAP) / Justin WALTERS (RSA) / Bryan NEWMAN (RSA)

10.42am / 3.43pm – Matti SCHMID (GER) / Ryggs JOHNSTON (USA) / Richard TEDER (EST)

11.47am / 6.46am – Francesco MOLINARI (ITA) / Jesper SVENSSON (SWE) / Connor GRAHAM (SCO)

12.09pm / 7.08am – Adam SCOTT (AUS) / Rickie FOWLER (USA) / Ethan FANG (USA)

12.53pm / 7.52am – Si Woo KIM (KOR) / Shugo IMAHIRA (JAP) / Seb CAVE (ENG)

3.43pm / 10.42am – Brian CAMPBELL (USA) / John CATLIN (USA) / Frazer JONES (ENG)

3.54pm / 10.53am – Nathan KIMSEY (ENG) / Jason KOLRAK (USA) / Cameron ADAM (SCO)

Click here to view all of the – Round 1 & 2 Tee Times

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14th July 2025

Introduction

156 players from 31 countries will contest the 153rd Open Championship which will be played at Royal Portrush G.C. in Northern Ireland on 17-20 July 2025.

The course will play to 7,381 yards, the fifth longest in Open history, and a par of 71.

The competition will be decided by stroke play over 72 holes. An aggregate play-off will be used to break any ties for 1st place.

The 70 lowest scores over the first 36 holes, and ties for 70th place, will advance to the final two rounds over the weekend.

The Silver Medal is awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes.

Amateurs In The Field

Nine amateurs are competing, all of them amongst the 37 debutants, having earned exemptions or come through qualifying: –

Cameron ADAM (SCO, 22, d.o.b. 6th July 2003, WAGR 29) – 2025 Open Amateur Series Winner*
Caddie – Sam Chien (Assistant Coach, Northwestern University)

Seb CAVE (ENG, 21, d.o.b. 10th June 2004, WAGR 120) – FQ at Royal Cinque Ports
Caddie – Alex Cave (Father)

Ethan FANG (USA, 20, d.o.b. 6th May 2005, WAGR 4) – 2025 Amateur Champion
Caddie – Will Livermore (Childhood Friend)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO, 18, d.o.b. 24th October 2006, WAGR 39) – FQ at Dundonald Links 
Caddie – Fintan Bonner (Senior Instructor, St. Andrews Links)

Justin HASTINGS (CAY, 21, d.o.b. 18th September 2003, WAGR 12) – 2025 Latin Am Amateur Champion
Caddie – Tom Ridley (Professional Caddie)

Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH, 21, d.o.b. 22nd November 2003, WAGR 7) – 2025 European Amateur Champion
Caddie – Matt Walton (Head Coach, University of Arizona)

Frazer JONES (ENG, 20, d.o.b. 13th July 2005, WAGR 976) – RQ at Lindrick / FQ at Burnham & Berrow
Caddie – Andy Jones (Father)

Bryan NEWMAN (RSA, 17, d.o.b. 20th December 2007, WAGR 635) – 2025 African Amateur Champion
Caddie – Will Beatty (Royal Portrush Member / Amateur Golfer)

Richard TEDER (EST, 20, d.o.b. 29th November 2004, WAGR 94) – FQ at West Lancashire
Caddie – Daniel Moss Silva (Estonian Team Coach)

*The Open Championship Amateur Series was introduced by The R&A in 2023. It offers an exemption to the player who gains the most WAGR points in the St. Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship events (as long as they didn’t win the Amateur or European Amateur Championships which meant they were already exempt).

The 2025 Amateur Competitors (Photo: The Open)

Filip Jakubčík and Richard Teder will become the first golfers from Czech Republic and Estonia to play in The Open.

Six amateurs competed in the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, none making the cut.

In total seven winners of The Amateur Championship are competing this week. In addition to Ethan Fang (2025) there is Sergio Garcia (1998), Julien Guerrier (2006), Matteo Manassero (2009), Romain Langasque (2015), Aldrich Potgieter (2022) and Jacob Skov Olesen (2024).

Low Amateur Silver Medal

Since 1949 the Silver Medal has been awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes. Bronze Medals are awarded to all other amateurs who complete 72 holes.

The Open has been staged at Royal Portrush twice previously, in 1951 and 2019.

Frank Stranahan USA won the Silver Medal for the third time in 1951 when he finished tied 12th.

No amateur made the cut six years ago so no medal was awarded.

Calum SCOTT (SCO), 20 at the time, won the low amateur Silver Medal in the 2024 Open Championship with rounds of 71, 75, 70 and 76 (+8) at Royal Troon.

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Calum Scott – Winner of the 2024 Silver Medal (Photo: Luke Walker / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

For more information on this prize please take a look at my article – The Open Championship’s Silver Medal.

Additional Information

Click here to view the official – 2025 Open Championship Website

2024 Regional & Final Qualifying

No amateur or professional player came through both Regional and Final Qualifying this year.

The five amateurs who advanced to the Championship through Qualifying were all exempt directly into Final Stage.

Click here to view my article on – The Open Championship – 2025 Regional & Final Qualifying

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Final Qualifying)

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Regional Qualifying)

Cameron Adam (Photo: Adam Family)

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Masters – 2025 Amateur Preview & Results

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13th April 2025

Results

Rory McILROY (NIR) became the sixth player to win the career grand slam when he overcame Justin ROSE (ENG) with a birdie on the first play-off hole (the 18th). Both players finished the 72 hole Augusta National G.C. test on 277 (-11), 2-shots ahead of Patrick REED (USA) and 3 ahead of defending champion Scottie SCHEFFLER (USA). 

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No amateur made the cut so no Silver Cup was awarded at The 89th Masters.

53 players made the 36 hole top 50 and ties cut which fell at 146 (+2). 

The average field score in Round 1 was 73.59 which fell to 72.67 in Round 2.

Round 2 Amateur Leaderboard (Graphic: The Masters)

Justin HASTINGS (CAY) produced the lowest round by an amateur shooting an even par 72 on Day 2.

Justin Hastings Scorecard – 148 +4 Tied 59th (Graphic: The Masters) 

Hiroshi TAI (SGP) led the five amateurs after the opening round on +1 but was unable to follow it up on Friday.

Hiroshi Tai Scorecard – 150 +6 Tied 73rd (Graphic: The Masters)

Mid-Amateur Evan BECK (USA) enjoyed five birdies over his 36 holes but these were mixed up with far too many dropped shots.

Evan Beck Scorecard – 153 +9 Tied 87th (Graphic: The Masters

The favourite for the Silver Cup Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP) got off to a poor start on Thursday and fell away badly on the back nine in Round 2.

Jose Luis Ballester Scorecard – 154 +10 Tied 90th (Graphic: The Masters)

Noah BECK (USA) shot the worst amateur total score but enjoyed a rollercoaster ride whilst doing it. Four birdies and an eagle on the 13th in Round 2 were his highlights.

Noah Beck Scorecard – 155 +11 Tied 93rd (Graphic: The Masters)

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8th April 2025

The 89th Masters will take place at Augusta National G.C. this week between Thursday 10th and Sunday 13th April.

A field of 95 players will be competing, six more than last year.

Five amateurs will be playing, the same number as last year.

The primary goal for each amateur is to make the 36 hole cut and if they achieve that to then go on and win the low amateur Silver Cup.

I will be updating this article with amateur scoring information and reports as the tournament unfolds.

Click here to view the – 2025 Masters Final Results

The 2025 Masters Journal

2025 Amateur Player Biographies

The legacy of Bobby Jones, the co-founder of the tournament and a lifelong amateur (at least during his competitive years), means The Masters has always found a place for the world’s leading amateurs.

This year’s intake will see the total number of amateurs to have played in The Masters rise to 464.

The five amateurs competing at The Masters in 2025 are: –

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER BARRIO (ESP), 21 – winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship
The Arizona State senior Ballester beat Noah Kent in last year’s U.S. Amateur final by 2 Holes to secure his place at Augusta.
WAGR #6 (09/04/25) 
Top Amateur Odds – 15/8 FAV

EVAN BECK (USA), 34 – winner of the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship
Beck beat Bobby Massa 9&8 in the final of the U.S. Mid-Amateur. After regaining his amateur status he returned to amateur competition in 2021. He is in pole position for the mid-amateur spot on the 2025 U.S. Walker Cup team. Beck now works as an investment analyst at Browns Advisory in Washington D.C.  
WAGR #21 (09/04/25)
Top Amateur Odds – 5/2

JUSTIN HASTINGS (CAY), 21 – winner of the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship
Hastings won the Latin America Amateur at Pilar G.C. in Argentina. He is a senior at San Diego State University.
WAGR #25 (09/04/24)
Top Amateur Odds – 5/2

NOAH KENT (USA), 20 – runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship
Floridian Kent now plays his golf at the University of Florida having transferred from Iowa last summer.
WAGR #140 (09/04/25) 
Top Amateur Odds – 15/2

HIROSHI TAI (SGP), 23 – winner of the 2024 NCAA Division I Individual Championship 
Tai was born in Hong Kong but represents Singapore; he is their first golfer to compete in The Masters. He was playing for Georgia Tech when he won the NCAA Championship.
WAGR #50 (09/04/24)
Top Amateur Odds – 8/1

U.S. and Amateur champions also receive non-playing honorary invitations which mean they are invited to attend The Masters every year for the rest of their lives.

Jacob Skov Olesen (DEN), 25, the 2024 Amateur champion, and Wenyi Ding (CHI), 20, the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, both turned pro since their wins, having won cards on the DP World Tour, which entailed them giving up their exemptions.

2025 Amateur Tee Times (GMT +5hrs)

Round 1

Group 6 – 8.35am EDT / 1.35pm BST – Bernhard LANGER (GER), Will ZALATORIS (USA) & Noah KENT (USA)

Group 14 – 10.15am EDT / 3.15pm BST – Scottie Scheffler (USA), Justin Thomas (USA) & Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP)

Group 20 – 11.21am EDT / 4.21pm BST – Bubba Watson (USA), Matthieu Pavon (FRA) & Evan BECK (USA)

Group 22 – 11.49am EDT / 4.49pm BST – Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Denny McCarthy (USA) & Hiroshi TAI (SGP)

Group 24 – 12.11pm EDT / 5.11pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA), Nick Taylor (CAN) & Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

Round 2

Group 4 – 8.13am EDT / 1.13pm BST – Bubba Watson (USA), Matthieu Pavon (FRA) & Evan BECK (USA)

Group 6 – 8.35am EDT / 1.35pm BST – Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Denny McCarthy (USA) & Hiroshi TAI (SGP)

Group 8 – 9.03am EDT / 2.03pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA), Nick Taylor (CAN) & Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

Group 22 – 11.49am EDT / 4.49pm BST – Bernhard LANGER (GER), Will ZALATORIS (USA) & Noah KENT (USA)

Group 30 – 1.23pm EDT / 6.23pm BST – Scottie Scheffler (USA), Justin Thomas (USA) & Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP)

By tradition the reigning U.S. Amateur champion is always paired with the reigning Masters champion. Accordingly Jose Luis Ballester has been paired with Scottie Scheffler this year (with Nick Taylor making up the three ball).

Click here to view all of the – Masters 2025 Tee Times

Amateur Perks

Only amateur competitors are permitted to stay in the Crow’s Nest accommodation in the clubhouse. Most of them normally spend at least one night there during Masters week.  

The Amateur Dinner, hosted by chairman Fred Ridley and normally attended by around between 50-100 guests, was held in The Founders Room on the evening of Monday 7th April. The Captain of The R&A, President of the USGA, a former amateur participant and an amateur contestant from this year normally speak.

Evan Beck, Jose Luis Ballester, Fred Ridley, Noah Kent, Justin Hastings and Hiroshi Tai (Photo: Chris Turvey / Augusta National G.C.)

2024 Masters – Amateur Performances

22 year old NEAL SHIPLEY (USA) won the low amateur Silver Cup at The 88th Masters Invitational at Augusta National G.C.

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Neal Shipley (Photo: The Masters)

His rounds of 71-76-80-71 and total score of 300 +12 saw him finish in tied 53rd place.

NEAL SHIPLEY (USA) – 300 +12 Tied 53rd

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Neal Shipley’s 72 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters)

The 36-hole cut fell at 150 (+6) with 60 players progressing to the weekend. This was the first year that the cut has fallen at +5 or higher since 2017 highlighting how tough Augusta played on the opening two days.

There was a 2.5 hour weather delay on Day 1 of The Masters following overnight rain. As a result 27 of the 89 players in the field were required to complete their first rounds on Friday morning.

Neal SHIPLEY (USA), on +3, was the only amateur to make the cut with rounds of 71 and 76.

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Round 2 Amateur Leaderboard (Graphic: The Masters)

Click here to view the – 2024 Masters Final Results

The Masters – Amateur Playing Records

For more information on amateur performances at The Masters please take a look at this companion article – The Masters – Amateur Records.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.