Tiger Woods named USGA’s 2024 Bob Jones Award recipient

“He is in a class of his own when it comes to the impact he has made on the game.”

The USGA has given the 2024 Bob Jones Award — the organization’s highest honor — to 15-time major champion Tiger Woods.

“This award goes beyond playing performance, recognizing the lasting impact of one person’s journey that has forever changed the image and growth of golf,” said Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA, in a statement. “There are very few who stand alongside Tiger Woods in terms of on-course accomplishments, and he is in a class of his own when it comes to the impact he has made on the game and future generations who will play it.”

The nine-time USGA winner has impacted the world of golf on and off course thanks to his charitable work with his TGR Foundation.

“Bob Jones was a pillar of our game because of the integrity with which he played it, and I’m truly humbled to receive the award that bears his name and join the many who have received it before me who continue his legacy,” said Woods in a statement. “It’s especially fitting to receive this honor from the USGA, which has meant so much to my career and the entire game of golf.”

Woods won three straight U.S. Junior Amateurs (1991-93) and three straight U.S. Amateurs (1994-1996).

“Throughout his playing career and along with his incredible work outside the ropes, Tiger Woods has quite literally changed the game, and he has done it while embodying the characteristics recognized by this award and shared by others who have received it,” said Fred Perpall, USGA president, in a statement. “His impact on the game is incalculable, and there is no doubt that golf would not be the same without Tiger in it.”

Historic Shinnecock Hills set to host back-to-back U.S. Opens for men and women in 2036

History is coming to Shinnecock in 2036.

In another first for the U.S. Women’s Open, the USGA has announced that Shinnecock Hills Golf Club will host the championship in 2036. But the good news doesn’t stop there. Shinnecock will become only the second venue to host back-to-back U.S. Open championships as the men and women will compete in consecutive weeks at the illustrious Southampton, New York, club.

Ten years ago, Pinehurst No. 2 became the first venue to host the men and women in back-to-back weeks, and it was a wildly successful campaign for the women, with champion Michelle Wie West drawing in massive television numbers, up 92 percent from the year prior.

Pinehurst will once again host back-to-back championships in 2029.

The U.S. Open trophy as seen at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in the Southampton, N.Y. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. (Copyright USGA/John Mummert)

One of five founding members clubs of the USGA, Shinnecock’s roots date to 1891. Its nine USGA championships include the second U.S. Amateur and second U.S. Open, both in 1896. Five U.S. Open championships have been held at Shinnecock, with Brooks Koepka winning the latest in 2018.

Shinnecock Hills ranks No. 1 in New York on Golfweek’s Best list of private-access courses in each state, and it is fourth on the list of top classic courses in the U.S.

While the 91st U.S. Women’s Open will be the first contested at Shinnecock, the club does boast the distinction of becoming the first golf club in America to have women members at its founding.
When LPGA Hall of Famer Inbee Park won the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open down the road at Sebonack Golf Club, which opened in 2006, it naturally raised questions about whether the women would ever get their chance to become part of golf history, a mere 2 ½ miles away.

At long last, the answer is yes.

“Few places can match the historic importance of Shinnecock Hills to golf in the United States,” said USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer in a release. “As an organization, we felt that this iconic venue would be an ideal stage for both our men’s and women’s premier championships. It will offer the perfect opportunity to bring the game’s best to one course and provide fans the chance to watch them compete for a national championship in back-to-back weeks.”

Last year, the U.S. Women’s Open was hosted at Pebble Beach Golf Links for the first time. The lineup of courses for the women’s championship leading up to 2036 is dreamlike: The Los Angeles Country Club (2032), Chicago Golf Club (2033), Merion Golf Club (2034) and Pebble Beach Golf Links (2035).

But before the women get their chance, Shinnecock will once again host the men in 2026.

“Shinnecock is deeply proud of our founding association with the USGA and our role in setting the course of history for golf in America,” said Brett Pickett, Shinnecock Hills club president. “And we are extremely excited to build on that legacy through this historic, back-to-back presentation of men’s and women’s major championship golf in Southampton in 2036.

“The seventh U.S. Open at Shinnecock will be played 140 years after the first, as we continue to be the only club to have hosted the U.S. Open in three different centuries.”

Here’s a look at the five players who have hoisted the U.S. Open trophy at Shinnecock Hills:

USGA announces cut, new exemption categories for 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open

The U.S. Adaptive Open will feature more changes than just a new course in 2024.

Now in its third year, the United States Golf Association’s 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open will feature some key changes compared to the first two editions.

This year’s championship, scheduled for July 8-10 at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, includes three new exemption categories as well as a cut for the first time.

The Adaptive Open is for male and female professional and amateur golfers who hold a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less, as well as an eligible impairment confirmed by a World Ranking for Golfers with Disability (WR4GD) Pass. Multiple sets of tees are used for the championship, which is contested over 54 holes of stroke play.

After the first two rounds, a cut will be administered with the low score (top 20 for men, top 10 for women), plus low two and ties from each impairment category advancing to the final round.

The first two Adaptive Open fields, held at Pinehurst No. 6 in North Carolina, were largely determined by Handicap Index. This year, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the country from April 15-May 31. The low overall female and male scorers from each qualifying site will earn spots in the championship, with ties resolved via a playoff. The remaining qualifying spots will be determined by Impairment Category and gender across all six qualifying sites using an adjusted Score Differential.

Effective this year, the USGA will employ the following three new exemption categories:

  • Overall male champion and overall female champion from the 2023 Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO (Chris Willis and Natasha Stasiuk)
  • Overall male champion and overall female champion from The 2024 G4D Open (to be contested May 15-17)
  • From the current WR4GD Gross Ranking – the top 10 men’s point leaders and ties, and the top five females and ties, as of April 3 (one week before entries close)

Online entry applications are now open and will close Wednesday, April 10, at 5 p.m. ET.

2024 U.S. Adaptive Open qualifying sites

Tuesday, April 16

Cedar Crest Golf Course, Dallas, Texas

Wednesday, Apr. 17

Bobby Jones Golf Course (Magnolia Route), Atlanta, Georgia

Wednesday, Apr. 24

Haworth Country Club, Haworth, New Jersey

Monday, Apr. 29

Goose Creek Golf Club, Jurupa Valley, California

Tuesday, May 7

Heritage Oaks Golf & Country Club, Sarasota, Florida

Broadmoor Country Club, Indianapolis, Indiana

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=1375]

Riviera Country Club on tap to host three major events in next seven years. Which ones?

The classic course is a favorite among pretty much everyone on Tour.

Famed Riviera Country Club is the annual host for the Genesis Invitational on the PGA Tour. The classic course is a favorite among pretty much everyone on Tour.

The Riv ranks No. 4 in California on Golfweek’s Best list of private courses in each state, and it’s No. 18 among all classic courses built before 1960 in the U.S. The course is a par-71 layout measuring 7,322 yards.

Previous championships held there include the 1995 PGA Championship, the 1983 PGA Championship, the 1948 U.S. Open as well as the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.

Here’s a closer look at three significant events coming to Riviera.

Want to play the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst? Check out the USGA’s local and final qualifying sites

There are 14 local qualifying sites in California, the most of any state. Florida is second with 13 local qualifiers.

On Monday the United States Golf Association announced the local and final qualifying sites for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, June 13-16, 2024.

Online player registration begins on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at champs.usga.org and will continue through Wednesday, April 13. Players must have a Handicap Index not exceeding 0.4, or be a professional.

There will be 109 local qualifying sites across the United States and Canada, April 22-May 20. For the 45th consecutive year, Illini Country Club in Springfield, Illinois, will hold a U.S. Open qualifier. Riverton (Wyoming) Country Club and Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, California, will host local qualifying for the 26th and 23rd years, respectively. There are 14 local qualifying sites in California, the most of any state. Florida is second with 13 local qualifiers.

Players who advance from 18-hole local qualifiers will join a group of exempt players in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes. International final stages will be held in England and Japan (May 20) and Canada (June 3). Nine final qualifiers in the U.S. will end on June 3, with one set for May 20. One local qualifying site in Texas and Massachusetts will be added at a later date.

The USGA accepted a record 10,187 entries for the 2023 championship at Los Angeles Country Club. The previous mark of 10,127 entries was established for the 2014 championship held at Pinehurst No. 2. The famed course in the Carolina sandhills, now an anchor site for the USGA, is hosting for a fourth time this year and will also host in 2029, 2035, 2041 and 2047.

Check out the dates and locations for all 2024 U.S. Open local and final qualifying sites below.

U.S. Women’s Open purse increases to $12 million as USGA names new presenting sponsor

Three years ago, the U.S. Women’s Open purse was $5.5 million.

The U.S. Women’s Open has a new partner and a record-setting purse. Ally, a financial services company with a strong connection to women’s sports, has become the new presenting sponsor for the U.S. Women’s Open and a founding partner of the U.S. National Development Program, the USGA announced.

The purse for the 2024 Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club will be a record $12 million, up from $11 million last year. Three years ago, the U.S. Women’s Open purse was $5.5 million.

“Partnering with Ally allows us to not only continue elevating the U.S. Women’s Open, but to also further our commitment to the future of the game via our U.S. National Development Program,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan in a release. “Ally has established itself as a force in sports, with a passion for equity across the industry. Its brand values and actions align perfectly with ours, and I can’t wait to see what we are able to do together.”

ProMedica, the first presenting sponsor in U.S. women’s Open history, parted ways with the USGA a little more than a year after the USGA launched a 10-year sponsorship agreement with the Ohio-based not-for-profit integrated health and well-being organization. The two companies reached a separation agreement last year after ProMedica’s business took a downward turn.

Ally’s history with women’s sports is notably strong. The company recently negotiated a landmark deal with Disney in which 90 percent of its media investment is allocated to women’s sports. That includes an expansion of game highlights, features and regular “SportsCenter” segments dedicated to women’s sports.

Ally also became the first presenting sponsor of the ACC Women’s Basketball Tournament and Women’s Soccer Championship as well as exclusive presenting sponsor of the 2023 ACC Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

Ally has pledged to reach equal spending in men’s and women’s sports by 2028 and is already four years ahead of schedule.

Similarly, the USGA pledged to increase the U.S. Women’s Open purse to $12 million by 2027 and has already reached that mark.

Ally has also signed World No. 1 Lilia Vu to its roster of female athletes that includes former soccer star and ESPN reporter Julie Foudy, WNBA player Nneka Ogwumike and NWSL player Sophia Smith.

“Golf is on a meteoric rise and its fanbase is more diverse than ever, bringing it in line with those who choose to bank with Ally,” Stephanie Marciano, head of sports marketing at Ally, said in a statement. “The USGA is best-in-class and presented us a powerful opportunity to positively impact both the women’s and men’s game, as well as engage a new group of sports fans across the country. We couldn’t be more excited to team up and deliver on that promise together.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=2075]

Merion officially becomes another USGA anchor as it adds a third upcoming U.S. Open

The Hugh Wilson-designed track already had two future U.S. Opens on its calendar (2030, 2050).

Merion already holds the record for most USGA championships hosted by a club, with 2022’s Curtis Cup bringing the total for the famed Pennsylvania course to 19. The first was the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1904.

Next up: the 2026 U.S. Amateur and 2030 U.S. Open. Future women’s championships include the 2034 and 2046 U.S. Women’s Opens.

And while the Hugh Wilson-designed track, which is No. 7 on the Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses list, already had two future U.S. Opens on its calendar (2030, 2050), the USGA announced on Monday that it would be neatly adding in another, this time in 2040.

More: U.S. Open future sites through 2051

“For well over a century, Merion has served as the site of some of American golf’s most iconic moments,” said John Bodenhamer, the USGA chief championships officer. “Our relationship with the club and its membership continues to grow, and when we looked at our future lineup for the U.S. Open, we wanted to enhance our upcoming commitment with a more regular cadence. We are thrilled to be able to return to such an important club on a regular basis and look forward to watching the world’s best write new chapters in the history of this great game.”

“Starting with its formation, the desire to host significant championships has been at Merion’s core,” said Buddy Marucci, Merion championship committee chair. “It is no wonder Merion has hosted more USGA championships than any other club in America. Our partnership with the USGA dates to its first decade and has produced some of the most memorable moments in golf history. We are thrilled to celebrate those moments by announcing an additional U.S. Open Championship to be played in the year 2040. We look forward to all future generations of the world’s best players having the opportunity to compete on Hugh Wilson’s timeless masterpiece.”

Oakmont, the famed course near Pittsburgh on the other side of Pennsylvania, will also serve as an “anchor site” for future USGA championships and will host the U.S. Open in 2025, 2034, 2042 and 2049.

A view of the Curtis Cup trophy and the iconic clubhouse before the start of the Four-Ball Matches at the 2022 Curtis Cup at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. on Saturday, June 11, 2022. (Chris Keane/USGA)

Future USGA championships in Pennsylvania

Merion Golf Club

2026 U.S. Amateur*
2030 U.S. Open
2034 U.S. Women’s Open
2040 U.S. Open
2046 U.S. Women’s Open
2050 U.S. Open

Oakmont Country Club

2025 U.S. Open*
2028 U.S. Women’s Open
2033 Walker Cup Match
2034 U.S. Open
2038 U.S. Women’s Open
2042 U.S. Open
2046 U.S. Women’s Amateur
2049 U.S. Open

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=2718]

USGA to conduct national qualifying for first time ahead of 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open

The USGA announced Thursday the U.S. Adaptive Open will adopt a qualifying model for the 2024 championship.

The USGA announced Thursday the U.S. Adaptive Open will adopt a qualifying model for the 2024 championship.

Conducted over 18 holes, qualifiers will be held at six sites across the United States between April 15 and May 31. They will be administered by Allied Golf Associations. In its first two years, the championship field was determined largely by Handicap Index. 

The 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open will be held at Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas, from July 8-10.“We have been thrilled with the interest in this championship and the growth of new adaptive competitions that it has inspired. As such, we have reached the point of introducing qualifying earlier than expected,” John Bodenhamer, USGA chief championships officer, said in a release. “In order to satisfy demand, we’re excited to roll out this new qualifying model, which will ensure high-caliber players are provided ample opportunity to earn a spot in the field and provide the championship the opportunity to embrace the openness that is a hallmark of USGA competitions.”The following AGAs will conduct 18-hole stroke play qualifiers in 2024 (specific sites and dates will be available by early February): Florida State Golf Association; Georgia State Golf Association; Indiana Golf Association; Metropolitan Golf Association (CT/NJ/NY); Southern California Golf Association and the Texas Golf Association

Online entry applications will open Thursday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m. ET, and close on Wednesday, April 10 at 5 p.m. ET, and be available at champs.usga.org.

The U.S. Adaptive Open Championship serves as the association’s 15th, and newest, national championship for the adaptive golf community. In 2023, Ryanne Jackson (women’s) and Kipp Popert (men’s) captured the championship’s overall titles. In 2022, Kim Moore (women’s) and Simon Lee (men’s) emerged victorious during the inaugural playing.

Eighteen players are fully exempt into the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open based on performances over the past two years of the championship.

The Adaptive Open is open to male and female professional and amateur golfers, with a Handicap Index of 36.4 or less, and an eligible impairment confirmed by a WR4GD Pass. The championship is contested over 54 holes of stroke play. Multiple sets of tees will be utilized.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=451199013]

In latest move for growth, U.S. National Development Program launches Junior State Teams

Seven states will participate in the initial phase

The United States Golf Association announced Wednesday the creation of a state team pilot program that will expand the pipeline for elite junior golfers into the recently created U.S. National Development Program (USNDP). Seven states will participate in the initial phase, with the goal of all states having a team by 2033.

The first seven participants are California (Southern), Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Ohio and Tennessee. The program will come to fruition through close collaboration between the USGA, its allied golf associations, the PGA of America and relevant state junior programs.

“This first-of-its-kind state team program will serve as a critical part of the talent identification pathway for the USNDP and provide more opportunities for a diverse population of athletes to receive resources and guidance to compete at the highest levels of the game,” said Heather Daly-Donofrio, USGA managing director, of Player Relations and Development, in a release. “Additionally, the opportunity to represent their home state will incentivize each region’s best junior golfers to play more in-state competitions, ultimately strengthening the junior golf programming across the country.”

The seven selected states participating in this initial pilot program will each establish a committee consisting of representatives from major golf organizations within the state, including any AGAs and PGA of America sections. The state committees will oversee team selection criteria and the operation of the state program based on guidelines provided by the USGA. Team selection criteria will vary by state and may consist of a points structure, ranking or combination of other competitive factors. Selection criteria from all seven states will be published before the entry deadline of the first counting event of their 2024 championship season.

State team roster sizes will be calculated by elite junior participation in the state, ranging from a minimum of two boys and two girls to a maximum of 20 boys and 20 girls.

To be eligible to compete on a state team in 2024, a player must be a U.S. citizen. Each eligible player must be 13 years old by Jan. 1, 2025, have not reached their 19th birthday by July 19, 2025, and cannot be enrolled in college for the 2024-25 school year. An official Handicap Index is also required.

Announced in February of 2023, the USNDP is designed to ensure that American golf is the global leader in the game by focusing on six key pillars: talent identification, access to competition, national teams, athlete resources, player development, and relations and athlete financial support. The state team program will focus on creating a developmentally appropriate, aspirational pathway for athletes within each state to compete at higher levels of the game, including an opportunity to represent the United States as a member of the USNDP’s National Team led by former Pepperdine associate head coach Chris Zambri.

“The state team program will allow us to leverage the expertise and local knowledge of the regional and state junior golf programs to ensure that all golfers with the appropriate skill have an equitable opportunity to pursue their dreams,” Zambri said in the release.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=451202827]

Every venue hosting USGA championships in 2024, including Pinehurst No. 2 and Hazeltine

There are some fantastic venues on the slate for 2024.

Another busy year is on tap for the United States Golf Association in 2024, and several of the organization’s biggest events are headed to the best golf courses in the world.

On the men’s side, Wyndham Clark claimed the U.S. Open title at Los Angeles Country Club in California in 2023. Next year, the best male players in the world will take on historic Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. Martin Kaymer won the last U.S. Open staged at No. 2 (2014).

As for the women, Allisen Corpuz won the first-ever U.S. Women’s Open staged at Pebble Beach Golf Links. In 2024, the ladies are headed to Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania.

Here are all 17 of the USGA’s events on the 2024 calendar. And here are all the trophies the USGA hands out at its championships.