In this article we take a trip down memory lane to look at some of the players to win the low amateur honours at the US Open
US Open Low Amateurs Of The Past
We take a look back at the past to see who the former low amateurs are at the US Open.
Stretching back all the way to 1979, the low amateur medal has been won by some high profile names, some of which we have highlighted below. (The full list of low amateurs since 1979 is at the bottom of this page)
US Open Low Amateurs
Viktor Hovland – 2019
Hosted at Pebble Beach Viktor Hovland shot a final-round 67 to finish in a tie for 12th place. His four-round total of 280 broke Jack Nicklaus’ record for lowest score by an amateur in the US Open.
He has since gone on to win twice on the PGA Tour and will in all likelihood make his Ryder Cup debut in 2021.
Scottie Scheffler – 2017
Scheffler and Cameron Champ were the only two amateurs to make the cut at the 2017 US Open hosted at Erin Hills. Scheffler won the low amateur honour by one stroke one one under-par.
Jon Rahm – 2016
Rahm waiting collect his low amateur medal at the 2016 US Open
Rahm turned professional after finishing as the low amateur of the 2016 US Open at Oakmont and has reached incredible heights already in his short pro career.
Since then, he has won five times on the PGA Tour, and six tournaments on the European Tour.
He was also a member of the 2018 winning Ryder Cup team where he beat Tiger Woods in the singles.
Matt Fitzpatrick – 2014
A fresh faced Fitzpatrick with his low amateur medal in 2014
Like Rahm, Fitzpatrick turned professional after being the low amateur of the 2014 US Open.
He too has kicked on well, winning six times on the European Tour including two DP World Tour Championships and two Omega European Master’s titles.
He became the youngest ever Englishman to win five times on the European Tour.
Jordan Spieth – 2012
Three years later Spieth had the main prize in his hands…
Spieth has been the most successful low amateur of all of the modern players.
After winning the medal in 2012, Spieth went on to win the US Open at Chambers Bay in 2015, as well as major championships at the Masters and the Open to leave him one shy of the career grand slam.
Patrick Cantlay – 2011
Cantlay with winner Rory McIlroy and runner up Jason Day at the 2011 US Open
Cantlay has been quite successful since his low amateur victory at the 2011 US Open.
He has recorded four wins on the PGA Tour and has become a regular fixture of the world’s top-20.
Matt Kuchar – 1998
Matt Kuchar acknowledging the crowd after securing low amateur in 1998
Matt Kuchar won the low amateur at the US Open all the way back in 1998, when he finished in a share of 14th place.
Since then, he has gone on to record nine wins on the PGA Tour, including victory at golf’s unofficial major at The Players Championship.
He has now recorded top-10 finished at all of the majors, including a second place finish at the 2017 Open.
Phil Mickelson – 1990 & 1991
Phil Mickelson has always had his eyes on the US Open trophy – the one major that has evaded him
Lefty finished as low amateur at both the 1990 and the 1991 US Open, held at Medinah and Hazeltine respectively.
Everyone knows how well Mickelson has done since then, going on to win six major championships, including three Masters victories.
However, the US Open is one major trophy that isn’t in his cabinet yet.
Could 2021 be the year where Phil completes the career grand slam? He shocked everyone to win the 2021 PGA Championship at Kiawah Island so anything is possible.
Fred Couples – 1979
Fred Couples at the 1994 US Open – 15 years after being low amateur
The oldest player on this list to win the low amateur was Fred Couples, all the way back in 1979.
A 15-time winner on the PGA Tour and Masters champion in 1992, it’s fair to say that Couples has had a successful career since being low amateur.
He is currently playing on the PGA Champions Tour, where he has won 13 times.
US Open Low Amateurs
- 2020 – John Pak
- 2019 – Viktor Hovland
- 2018 – Luis Gagne and Matt Parziale
- 2017 – Scottie Scheffler
- 2016 – Jon Rahm
- 2015 – Brian Campbell
- 2014 – Matt Fitzpatrick
- 2013 – Michael Kim
- 2012 – Jordan Spieth
- 2011 – Patrick Cantlay
- 2010 – Russell Henly and Scott Langley
- 2009 – Nick Taylor
- 2008 – Michael Thompson
- 2007 – No amateurs made the cut
- 2006 – No amateurs made the cut
- 2005 – Matt Every
- 2004 – Spencer Levin
- 2003 – Trip Kuehne
- 2002 – Kevin Warrick
- 2001 – Bryce Molder
- 2000 – Jeffrey Wilson
- 1999 – Hank Kuehne
- 1998 – Matt Kuchar
- 1997 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1996 – Randy Leen
- 1995 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1994 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1993 – Justin Leonard
- 1992 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1991 – Phil Mickelson
- 1990 – Phil Mickelson
- 1989 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1988 – Billy Mayfair
- 1987 – No amateurs made the cut
- 1986 – Samuel Randolph
- 1985 – Scott Verplank
- 1984 – Robert Sigel and Richard Fehr
- 1983 – Brad Faxon
- 1982 – Nathaniel Crosby
- 1981 – Joey Rassett
- 1980 – Gary Hallberg
- 1979 – Fred Couples
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