The Golf Channel for Golf Lessons
LIV golfers offered a formal qualification route into The Open via designated qualifying events and ranking adjustments, a move that could reintegrate players and reshape entry dynamics ahead of next year’s championship.
Mason Howell says his viral U.S. Amateur celebration was spontaneous, born of relief and team camaraderie; he clarifies motives and thanks supporters after footage drew widespread attention at the national event.
Jose Luis Ballester, the newly crowned U.S. Amateur champion from Spain, has officially stepped into the spotlight by joining LIV Golf. At just 21 years old and fresh from his stunning victory at Cherry Hills, this rising star is set to shake up the professional golf scene and leave a lasting mark in the upcoming season
In a stunning display of talent, 19-year-old American Michael Thorbjornsen stole the spotlight at the Dubai Desert Classic, outshining golf legends Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm in an electrifying opening round. The amateur from Stanford University captivated fans with a flawless, bogey-free performance, carding an impressive 5-under-par 67 that catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, seasoned pros McIlroy and Rahm finished with scores of 70 and 68, respectively. Thorbjornsen’s remarkable showing not only highlights his skill but also hints at a bright future as he gears up to take on the best in the world this weekend.
U.S. Amateur notebook: 12 things I loved from a week at Hazeltine
The 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National Golf Club was an unforgettable event. Here are 12 things I loved:
Arizona State’s Ballester wins U.S. Amateur 2 up
Scottsdale, AZ – Arizona State University senior Alfredo Ballester took home the 2023 U.S. Amateur Championship on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club with a 2-up victory over Sam Bennett of the University of Texas.
Ballester, the No. 10 seed, entered the final day of stroke play at even par, three strokes off the lead. He birdied the first two holes of the day and stayed in contention with five birdies over his final 10 holes. He finished tied for second at 3-under-par 277, setting up a Sunday showdown with Oklahoma State’s Eugenio Chacarra.
Ballester defeated Chacarra 1-up in the semifinals, which set the stage for his championship match against Bennett. The ASU senior trailed by one through 12 holes but won the 13th hole with a conceded birdie and evened the match again with a birdie on the 15th, eventually taking the championship on the 18th hole.
The win marks Ballester’s first USGA title and his third victory of his collegiate career.
Austin Kent has achieved great success in the U.S. Amateur, reaching the semifinals in 2013. Now, he is one step closer to claiming the title after defeating Dylan Menante 7&5 in the quarterfinals.
Kent’s victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal match against Michael Thorbjornsen. Thorbjornsen, who is ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is a formidable opponent. However, Kent has already proven that he is capable of upsetting the odds.
If Kent can defeat Thorbjornsen, he will face either Maxwell Buchanan or Austin Greaser in the final. Buchanan and Greaser are both talented players, but Kent will be confident in his ability to overcome either opponent and claim the U.S. Amateur title.
The final four at the 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National is set! Four players from across the country have fought their way through a field of 312 to earn a spot in the semifinals. This year’s field is particularly impressive, featuring some of the top junior and college golfers in the world.
The semifinals will tee off on Saturday morning, with the championship match slated for Sunday afternoon. The winner of the U.S. Amateur will earn an invitation to the 2025 Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open.
Jackson Buchanan and Josele Ballester shine as standout semifinalists in the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the course.
Buchanan, Kent Reach U.S. Amateur Semifinals
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Maxwell Buchanan and Austin Kent emerged from the quarterfinals of the 114th U.S. Amateur at The Country Club as Thursday morning’s winners to advance to the semifinals.
Buchanan, of Houston, Texas, defeated Luke Potter of Raleigh, North Carolina, 3&1, while Kent, of Austin, Texas, cruised to a 7&5 win over Dylan Menante of Cary, North Carolina.
Both Buchanan and Kent entered the U.S. Amateur ranked outside the Top 50 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
On Friday, Buchanan will face Austin Greaser, of Lexington, Kentucky, who defeated Benjamin Lopez of Raleigh, North Carolina, 2&1, while Kent will play Michael Thorbjornsen, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, who rallied to defeat Pierceson Coody of Plano, Texas, 2&1.
Nestled among the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, the Rancho Park Golf Course stands as a testament to the allure and accessibility of golf. Unlike its prestigious counterpart, the USGA-owned Riviera Country Club, Rancho Park is a municipal course that offers a welcoming embrace to golfers of all skill levels.
Despite its unassuming facade, Rancho Park has played host to legends of the game, including Tiger Woods, who honed his skills on these very fairways. The course’s strategic layout and challenging greens have tested the mettle of countless aspiring golfers, shaping their games and leaving an enduring legacy.
