USGA to exempt winners, runners-up of 4 AM majors into the US AM

June 29, 2020 | by Brayden Conover of AmateurGolf.com

In response to COVID-19 cancelling traditional qualifying, the USGA is giving players another way in

As COVID-19 continues to alter the amateur golf landscape, the USGA is coming up with creative ways to give amateur golfers the opportunity to compete in its biggest amateur championship. Case in point: A four week stretch of golf will award a handful of exemptions into the U.S. Amateur. Preceding the championship in mid-August are four of amateur golf’s biggest and deepest major tournaments. Kicking off the mad dash to Bandon Dunes is the North & South Amateur at Pinehurst, beginning Tuesday with a champion being crowned on July 4.

Next, Maridoe Golf Club will once again be at the center of amateur golf as they play host to the Southern Amateur (July 15-18). Maridoe previously hosted two COVID-19 relief tournaments and the Maridoe Junior as golf "reopened".

Forced to move from its original date, the Sunnehanna Amateur tees off in Pennsylvania on July 21-24. Wrapping up the PGA Tour-like schedule is the Western Amateur hosted by Crooked Stick Golf Club July 28-August 1.

Each of the four tournaments is expecting their deepest field ever as amateur majors across the world have been cancelled due to the pandemic. And with the USGA cancelling U.S. Amateur qualifying, these events offer the chance for players to play their way into the championship.

"I don't think there's any question it only enhances the reputation of these events," said Sunnehanna co-chairman John Yerger. "I think within the golf community, these tournaments are very well known, but to those on the periphery, I think it's an eye-opener."

The USGA will be exempting the winners and runners-up of the four majors into the 2020 U.S. Amateur field.

The Road to Bandon Dunes:

North & South Men's Amateur Championship
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club - Course 2
Pinehurst, NC
Jun 30, 2020 - Jul 04, 2020
Southern Amateur Championship
Maridoe Golf Club
Carrollton, TX
Jul 15, 2020 - Jul 18, 2020
Sunnehanna Amateur Tournament for Champions
Sunnehanna Country Club
Johnstown, PA
Jul 21, 2020 - Jul 24, 2020
Western Amateur Championship
Crooked Stick Golf Club
Carmel, IN
Jul 28, 2020 - Aug 01, 2020

Since the Sunnehanna and Southern Amateur are stroke-play events, there will be no limit on exemptions for T-2 finishes. If three players tie for second, all will qualify for Bandon Dunes. The North & South and Western Amateur are match play, so only two players from each will receive the exemptions.

Many top players will already be exempt, including the top 225 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and all match play qualifiers from last year's U.S. Amateur. But for everyone else, this is their chance to get in.

"This [move by the USGA] was done for those who may not be exempt," Yerger said. "I think it puts the onus on our tournaments to, not necessarily provide opportunities to guys that may be exempt, but to guys that may just be outside of the present number.

Last year, both A.J. Ott and Noah Woolsey were outside the top 225 when they arrived at Chenal Country Club for the Southern Amateur. Ott went on to beat Woolsey in a playoff. Since neither was exempt for the U.S. Amateur, both had to enter qualifying. Ott made it, Woolsey didn't. Had it happened this year, both would have been exempt into the championship.

"Every player that we try to invite from here on in, those invitations are enhanced because we understand the implications for some guys," said Yerger. "It's really important for them in terms of this year."

Yerger went on to say that "every opportunity matters" in terms of who benefits the most from the USGA's decision.

About the US Amateur

USGA to exempt winners, runners-up of 4 AM majors into the US AM

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...

Most Popular Articles

Rory McIlroy Wins 2026 Seminole Pro-Member With Dad Gerry

Mar 2, 2026Rory McIlroy added another trophy to the mantle on golf’s most exclusive Monday, teaming with father Gerry at Seminole Golf Club.

U.S. Open Qualifying 2026: Local & Final Qualifying Sites for Shinnecock

Feb 19, 2026The road to Shinnecock Hills begins in April as 110 local qualifying sites and 13 final qualifying venues are set.

FINAL RESULTS: Gasparilla Invitational 2026

Feb 21, 2026Hayes Brown wins Gasparilla at 2-under, edging Peyton White by one, while Jeff Frazier claims the Senior title at Palma Ceia.

Michael McCoy Wins 2026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island

Feb 26, 20262026 Jones Cup Senior Invitational at Sea Island’s Seaside Course Final Results + Leaderboard

2026 San Francisco City Championship Qualifier Round 2 COMPLETE

Mar 8, 2026Alexander Thu surges to No. 1 seed and 48 Players are moving on to Match Play at TPC Harding Park.

Filters

Related Tournament

US Amateur

View Details

Loading latest news...

Loading article...