The Western Amateur Returns to Beverly: 124th Edition of Golf's Toughest Test

The Western Amateur doesn't ease you into anything. The 124th edition begins July 27 at Beverly Country Club, where 156 of the world's best amateurs will face four rounds of stroke play just to earn the right to compete in match play.

That's the format, and it hasn't changed in over a century: 72 holes to separate the field down to sixteen players, then four rounds of match play compressed into two brutal days. No other amateur event demands this much.