Tag: Ben James

These 15 amateurs made 22 cuts on the PGA Tour in 2024

If these amateurs could’ve collected prize money, their 2024 winnings would have totaled $4,263,930.

The amateurs shone bright this year.

A total of 15 amateurs made 22 cuts on the PGA Tour in 2024.

Luke Clanton of Florida State led the way, having turned the trick at seven different events, including a tie for second in the season-ending RSM Classic.

Neal Shipley made two cuts, both at majors: the Masters and the U.S. Open.

Nick Dunlap, of course, one-upped all the ams in 2024 as he’s the one with a victory, at the American Express back in January. He’s on the very short list of just eight golfers to win a PGA Tour event as an amateur. He later won the Barracuda Championship for his first victory as a professional.

Would-be winnings

Ams don’t get paid if they make the cut or win, of course, but if these guys did pocket the money from the finishing positions they posted, they would have taken home $4,263,930.

Dunlap’s payday at the AmEx would’ve been worth $1.512 million. Clanton’s tie for second at the John Deere would’ve been good for $712,000. His tie for second at the RSM would’ve meant $676,400. If he could’ve cashed in on all seven finishes, he’d have won $2,022,713. He would have been the 84th player to surpass $2 million on the PGA Tour’s 2024 season money list.

Amateurs who made a cut on PGA Tour in 2024

Tournament Finish Amateur Would-be earnings
The American Express 1 Nick Dunlap $1,512,000
Mexico Open at Vidanta T-46 Santiago De La Fuente $25,515
Puerto Rico Open T10 Jackson Van Paris $93,000
Masters T53 Neal Shipley $46,800
CJ Cup Byron Nelson 65 Kris Kim $20,425
Myrtle Beach Classic T26 Blades Brown $29,800
Memorial 52 Jackson Koivun $50,000
U.S. Open T26 Neal Shipley $153,281
U.S. Open T41 Luke Clanton $72,305
U.S. Open T70 Gunnar Broin $39,982
Rocket Mortgage Classic T10 Luke Clanton $206,233
Rocket Mortgage Classic T44 Ben James $29,164
John Deere Classic T-2 Luke Clanton $712,000
ICSO Championship T-37 Luke Clanton $17,400
British Open T-43 Calum Scott $57,200
British Open T-60 Tommy Morrison $32,100
British Open T-60 Jacob Skov Olesen $32,100
Barracuda Championship T-40 Ian Gilligan $16,600
Wyndham Championship 5 Luke Clanton $323,900
Procore Championship T-50 Luke Clanton $14,475
Shriners Children’s Open T-16 Ian Gilligan $103,250
RSM Classic T-2 Luke Clanton $676,400

 

Virginia’s Ben James earns PGA Tour exemption with win at Valero Texas Collegiate

The win is the sixth of James’ college career.

It has been a stellar start to the season for Virginia.

First, the Cavaliers picked up a season-opening win at the Inverness Intercollegiate, topping defending national champion Auburn by four shots.

Then on Monday, junior Ben James picked up his first win of the season at the Valero Texas Collegiate, and it was a significant one. James, the 2023 Phil Mickelson Award winner, topped Auburn’s Josiah Gilbert in a playoff to nab medalist honors at TPC San Antonio’s Oak’s Course. The victory earned him an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, slated for next April at the same venue.

James shot 6-under 66 in the final round, making birdie on the final hole to get into a playoff with Gilbert. He then made birdie on the first extra hole to win, the sixth victory of his collegiate career.

After a five-win freshman season, James wasn’t able to win during what some would call a “sophomore slump.” Still, after two tournaments to begin his junior season, he has lost to only two golfers and earned a professional exemption thanks to his play. He’s also making an early statement for the Haskins Award.

On the team side of things, Virginia tied for third with Auburn, but it was Oklahoma taking the team title at 30 under, topping Ole Miss by six shots for the title.

Oklahoma won the 2024 Valero Texas Collegiate. (Photo: OU Athletics)

The Sooners won for the 45th time under coach Ryan Hybl. The victory came in large part to junior Jase Summy’s school-record 10-under 62 in the opening round. He finished the week 11 under and solo third while senior Drew Goodman tied for eighth.

Need something to cheer for at 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic? How about the strong contingent of amateurs

The kids are good.

If it were any other week at Detroit Golf Club, 15-year-old Miles Russell wouldn’t be allowed into the locker room. Good for him it’s not an ordinary week.

Members have to be 16 to go into the locker room, but surely they’ll make an exception for Russell, who’s in the field this week at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic on a sponsor exemption. In April, he became the youngest player in Korn Ferry Tour history to make a cut. Now, he’s making his first PGA Tour start in the Motor City.

“This has always been the goal, to play at the highest level,” Russell said. “Don’t know, kind of just happened a little faster than I was thinking it might, but it’s just what happens when you have some good play.”

In addition to Russell, Nos. 2, 3 and 4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking – Jackson Koivun, Ben James and Luke Clanton – are teeing it up this week in Detroit.

Koivun recently helped Auburn win its first national championship and won every major individual award, including the Fred Haskins Award, and he’s on the verge of earning a PGA Tour card by summer’s end. If you didn’t know, he was only a freshman last year.

Then there’s James, the 2023 Phil Mickelson Award winner for Freshman of the Year. The rising junior at Virginia nearly won the NCAA individual championship last month at Omni La Costa and was on the 2023 Walker Cup team.

Don’t discount Clanton, either. The incoming junior at Florida State finished the year as the top-ranked golfer in the NCAA golf rankings. He also made the cut at the U.S. Open two weeks ago and helped the Seminoles to a runner-up finish at the NCAAs.

In a field that is lacking of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars, perhaps the amateurs can carry the torch this week. Three of the best players in college golf, plus the 15-year-old stud who is gaining popularity by the tournament, could be a shot in the arm for the Tour this week.

For Russell, it’s just another chance to prove he belongs.

“I have my own goals, but my goal is just to come out here and have fun,” Russell said. “That’s my main goal, have fun, maybe learn something, take something to my next event.”

Min Woo Lee has taken notice of Russell. A talented golfer in his amateur days, Lee said he was nervous when he teed it up in events at that age, but he also just tried to go out and just play golf.

“Again, he’s only 15, so I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of, you know, too much expectation,” Lee said. “Obviously he’s a great golfer. I mean, he’s got plenty of time to turn pro and still, yeah, years ahead of him. Hopefully he has fun and doesn’t beat me, but does well.”

When asked about Russell on Tuesday, Willie Mack III, who punched his ticket into the tournament thanks to his win Sunday in the John Shippen,  was joking about the locker room situation for Russell.

“Yeah, he’s been playing well,” Mack said. “Hopefully he plays well this week and keep going.”

Reigning Mickelson Award winner Ben James is lurking at NCAA Men’s Golf Championship

The race for the NCAA individual title is tight.

CARLSBAD, Calif. — The results don’t show it, but Ben James believes he has played much better as a sophomore than he did as a freshman.

That’s hard to believe for James, let alone anyone comparing the seasons blindly next to each other. Last season, James won five times for Virginia and won the Phil Mickelson Award given to the Freshman of the Year. This year, he has no wins, only two top fives and six top-10 finishes.

“I’m actually playing a little bit better than last year,” James said Sunday after signing for a 3-under 69 in the third round of the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa’s North Course. “I’ve been really consistent. All around, my game feels a bit better.”

He has had to remain patient, but perhaps that’s finally starting to pay off. James sits T-2 and two shots back of the lead with 18 holes to play in the race for the individual title. What would be his first win of the season would be the biggest yet of his career.

“It’s like shooting 61 and then having to come back it up the next day,” Virginia coach Bowen Sargent said. “You’ve got to be able to manage expectations, and I do think he has gotten better. The parts have gotten better this year.”

The winner of the NCAA individual championship would earn exemptions into the 2024 U.S. Open in a couple of weeks at Pinehurst No. 2 and also would earn a spot at the 2025 Masters, given they accept the exemptions as amateurs. The lone player in front of James, Ohio State’s Adam Wallin, is a senior.

No pressure, right?

“Stuff just happens for a reason,” James said. “If it’s my day, it’s my day.”

Wallin also shot 3 under on Sunday and is two ahead of James. Vilips led by five entering the day but signed for 4-over 76 and is T-2 alongside James.

And James would be a shot closer if not for a pace-of-play penalty during Friday’s first round. However, his patience through that situation, and the season in general, are why James is clicking when it matters most.

“Being patient and letting things kind of come to you, that’s hard when you’re a great player because you’re used to taking the bull by the horns a little bit,” Sargent said, “but being patient is a big part of his game, and hopefully this week is his week.”

Meet the 10 members of the 2023 United States Walker Cup team

Here’s who will represent the United States at St. Andrews.

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, Colo. — The roster for the United States Walker Cup team is set.

Following the conclusion of the 123rd U.S. Amateur on Sunday, the United States Golf Association’s International Team Selection working group and coach Mike McCoy announced the final selections to represent the American team in the 49th Walker Cup at the Old Course at St. Andrews from Sept. 2-3.

The Walker Cup is a 10-man amateur team competition between the U.S. and Great Britain and Ireland. The Old Course has hosted eight previous Walker Cups, more than any other venue, most recently in 1975, when the USA defeated GB&I, 15½-8½.

Rising Stanford senior Michael Thorbjornsen, second in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, would’ve represented the United States but withdrew from the competition, as well as the U.S. Amateur, because of a back injury.

Meet the 10 members of the 2023 United States Walker Cup team.

Players to watch at the 2023 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club

It’s going to be an incredible week at Cherry Hills.

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It’s time for the premier men’s amateur championship.

The 2023 U.S. Amateur started Monday at Cherry Hills Country Club and Colorado Golf Club, both in the Denver suburbs. The field of 312 players will complete 36 holes of stroke play, 18 at each course, before a cut is made to the top 64, who will advance to match play at Cherry Hills beginning Wednesday. This will be the 123rd U.S. Amateur.

Eighteen of the top 20 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking are in the field, including No. 1 Gordon Sargent.

Last year, Sam Bennett topped Ben Carr 1 up at The Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey.

Here’s a look at 10 players to watch at the 2023 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills.

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Virginia’s Ben James wins 2023 Phil Mickelson Award, signifying nation’s top freshman golfer

In 13 starts, James tallied 11 top-10 finishes. 

Virginia’s Ben James has been named winner of the 2023 Phil Mickelson Award, the Golf Coaches Association of America announced Thursday.

James had an incredible campaign that ended Tuesday after guiding the Cavaliers into the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship match play quarterfinals. James finished sixth at 4-under 276 in the stroke play portion of the national championship. It was Virginia’s first time making match play at the NCAA Championship.

He won five times this year, including two of his first three starts, and shared medalist honors at the Las Vegas Regional.

In 13 starts, James tallied 11 top-10 finishes.

James also earned an automatic selection on next week’s Arnold Palmer Cup team, a Ryder Cup-style event that takes place June 8-10 at Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

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Haskins Award: Final watch list for 2022-23 men’s college golf season

Check out who’s in the running for player of the year in men’s college golf in 2023.

The postseason is underway in men’s college golf, and after the NCAA Regionals, the NCAA Div. I Men’s Golf Championship field is set for May 26-31 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

With that, the race for the 2023 Haskins Award presented by Stifel is starting to heat up.

A handful of players have made their case throughout the season as front-runners for the Haskins Award, which honors the player of the year in men’s college golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media.

If you fit one of the listed criteria, use this link to cast your vote.

Players on the Haskins Award Watch List were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel writers. The players are listed alphabetically.

Golfweek/Sagarin rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual

Haskins Award: First spring watch list for 2022-23 men’s college golf Player of the Year

Check out who’s in the running for men’s college golfer of the year.

With every passing week, the men’s college golf season creeps closer to the NCAA Championship at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The Haskins Award announced Friday its first spring watch list, featuring 15 of the best men’s college golfers this season. Gordon Sargent, a sophomore at Vanderbilt who has risen to No. 2 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is having a stellar season, but there are plenty of other big names in contention.

The Haskins Award honors the player of the year in college men’s golf, as selected by college golfers, coaches and members of the college golf media. The players are listed alphabetically. Players on the Haskins Award Watch List were selected by a panel of Golfweek and Golf Channel reporters.

Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings: Men’s team | Men’s individual

Men’s college golf notebook: Another member of the 60 club, freshmen make their mark

Here’s what you missed in the men’s college golf world.

Ryan Eshleman came close to making college golf history in the desert.

The junior at Auburn stepped to the 18th tee at Mirabel Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, at 10 under for the day. 11 birdies, one bogey and five pars in Eshleman’s first 17 holes. A birdie on the 18th would mean becoming the first college golfer to shoot 59.

He made it on the green with an opportunity for birdie. Eshleman hit the putt, and it tracked toward the hole yet died right before reaching it, leading to a tap-in par.

He signed for a 10-under 60, setting the new mark for lowest round in Auburn history. He became the 16th men’s golfer to card a 60 in college golf all time.

Eshleman ended up finishing T-8, as Auburn captured the Maui Jim Intercollegiate, finishing at 45 under. That mark set a new school record for lowest three-round score in school history, and the 22-under mark after the first round set a single-round record. In addition, the Tigers also set new program marks for lowest 18- and 36-hole scores. Arizona State came in second place at 40 under, which was its lowest three-round score in program history.

Tennessee freshman Caleb Surratt won the individual competition, shooting an 18-under 192. He beat Florida State’s Cole Anderson by three shots. The Volunteers also set a new 54-hole program scoring record.

2022 Maui Jim Intercollegiate
Tennessee’s Caleb Surratt holds the trophy after winning the Maui Jim Intercollegiate. (Photo: Tennessee Athletics)

Speaking of a 59 watch, there was more than one performance that nearly tried to reshape the college record books.

Lipscomb’s Jason Hong was 12 under after 15 holes at Streamsong Resort’s Blue Course, needing one birdie in his final three holes to shoot a 59 (par-72 layout). Hong parred the first then made eight straight birdies to close the front nine. He started the back nine with two consecutive pars before four straight birdies. He narrowly missed a birdie putt on the par-3 16th, but Hong made bogey on the 690-yard par-5 17th. A par at the last, and he signed for an 11-under 61.

The round set a new Streamsong Blue course record and a Lipscomb 18-hole record.

Hong finished in third place at 15-under 201, five shots behind Virginia freshman Ben James, who had 18 birdies, an eagle and no bogeys en route to his victory. Virginia also won the Streamsong Invitational, shooting 56 under to set a new program mark for a 54-hole low score. The Cavaliers topped Lipscomb by seven shots to win.

Meanwhile, Georgia Southern is continuing to show why it’s the best men’s mid-major in college golf. The Eagles won the Gopher Invitational in Independence, Minnesota, by five shots over Kansas and Kent State. Georgia Southern shot 20-under 832, including a 9-under final round to pull away for victory. Wilson Andress came away with the individual victory for Georgia Southern at 11-under 202, beating Coastal Carolina’s Garrett Cooper by two shots. U.S. Amateur runner-up Ben Carr finished T-10 at 5 under for the Eagles.

There was a crazy finish at the VCU Shootout, where the hosts and Charleston Southern went four playoff holes before determining the winner. VCU and Charleston Southern each finished at 36-under 828 for the tournament, but it was the latter coming away with the late win. George Washington University finished a shot out of the playoff.

Cameron Jourdan covers college and amateur golf for Golfweek. Got a college or amateur story? Email him at cjourdan@golfweek.com.

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