Veteran Golfers Dominate US Mid-Amateur Tournament - Is Their Participation Justified?
Former Pros Dominate the US Mid-Amateur Championship 2022
The US Mid-Amateur Championship 2022 saw a surprising dominance by former professional golfers, as six out of eight quarter-finalists returned to the amateur ranks after spending significant time on the greens as pros.
Justin Hueber and Christian Brand, both with Korn Ferry Tour experience, recently rejoined the amateurs. Brand, who played 67 times on the Korn Ferry Tour and quit pro golf in 2019, and Hueber, who made 87 starts and left the paid ranks in 2021, were among the returnees.
Brandon Holtz, 38, who played basketball at Illinois State before playing pro golf for six years until retiring in 2015, is the only one from the six who made it to the final. He will face Jeg Coughlin in the 36-hole final. Coughlin, who had a brief spell as a pro, reached the second stage of the PGA Tour's Q School last year as an amateur and is playing in his first USGA matchplay event.
The question of whether former pros should play in amateur championships has been raised. Some argue that golf is a game for all, and if former pros apply for reinstatement as amateurs, they should not be denied. However, others contend that having older former pros in amateur events could stifle the progression of younger amateurs.
The USGA's rules allow for extending the waiting period based on individual player's results and level played at, but this needs to be formalized and strengthened. A ban could be enforced if a player makes it to the PGA Tour, as having a former PGA Tour pro playing in amateur events doesn't quite sit right. A graduated wait time depending on how long and how successful players were on the Korn Ferry Tour or similar could be implemented, with a cut-off point for tournament winners and veterans of say five years or more.
The US Open and The Masters places are up for grabs in USGA's big amateur events. Defending champion Evan Beck played pro golf for four years and retired in 2017. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Matt Fitzpatrick are examples of US Amateur champions who later had successful professional careers.
As the US Mid-Amateur Championship 2022 comes to a close, the debate around former pros competing in amateur events continues. The 36-hole final between Holtz and Coughlin at Troon Country Club will certainly add fuel to the discussion.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
