Know their names: These top players will drive amateur golf in 2020

The following names are likely to appear in amateur golf headlines in 2020. Their path to the top of amateur golf is worth following.

John Pak, marathon man of the summer circuit

John Pak hits a tee shot during the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst Resort. (Photo: USGA/Chris Keane)

Pak, a Florida State junior, was the man of the match at the Walker Cup in September. Pak was everywhere last summer in the pursuit of a Walker Cup pick, and he more than earned the one he eventually got.

Highlights of 2019 include winning the ACC individual title (the last of four victories in his sophomore season for the Seminoles), a runner-up at the Porter Cup and Round of 16 runs at both the U.S. Amateur and Western Amateur.

Walker Cup captain Nathaniel Crosby remarked that Pak had a tendency to start slowly in tournaments over the past year.

“He would have won seven or eight tournaments this year already if he hadn’t shot a 73 or 74,” Crosby said at the end of the Walker Cup.

Faster starts and frequent victories is a concise way to sum up Pak’s path in 2020.