When one thinks of any prestigious golf championships, one might picture a huge winner’s cheque. Yet, for the 312 players who are participating in the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship, the motivation is not the same. They aren’t driven by pay but by something far more enduring, the pride and glory that is associated with being a winner of one of the oldest and most prestigious titles in golf.

For the record, the winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship will not pocket a single dollar because of that win. In a society where sports personalities fight for millions of dollars, this might appear rather strange. However, amateur golf is tradition-oriented, and the goal is to achieve high results, be a sportsman, and achieve personal success. It isn’t a weakness that there is no prize money, it is an asset. That is why the U.S. Amateur Championship is all about skill, determination, and love for the game.

What the champion will get to take home, however, is something that cannot be bought with money – the Havemeyer Trophy. This cup has been gold-plated and has been associated with amateur golf champions since 1926. They will have a trophy that once was in the hands of Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, and many other great golf players knowing that the name will be written in the history of golf. Along with this, the winner will also get a gold medal. But, that is not all.

The 2024 winner will also secure exemptions into three of the world’s most prestigious golf tournaments: the 2025 U.S. Open to be held at Oakmont Country Club, the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, and the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National. Bryson DeChambeau knows this feeling very well. Having triumphed at the U.S. Amateur in 2015, he translated his victory into a professional career that led him to become a major champion in the PGA Tour. The 2024 champion could be the next one to take this path. The winner could also bring in sponsorships and funding.

Is the U.S. Amateur a road to glory only to the winner?

There are other benefits that the U.S. Amateur Championship brings to the table. The second place is not ignored, the runner-up gets a silver medal and the same major privileges as the winner, but only if he or she remains an amateur. Semi-finalists are awarded bronze medals, while the stroke-play medalist is also awarded a silver medal.

The U.S. Amateur Championship is much more than the highest level of amateur golf, it is a springboard for young talents. Some of the legends who have used the U.S. Amateur Championship as a platform for the professional circuit include Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson among others.

The Final of the 124th U. S. Amateur Championship will start at 7.15 am CDT (1.15 pm BST) at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota with Ballester the outright favorite. Who will be the next U.S. Amateur champion – the 19-year-old Noah Kent or the 21-year-old José Luis Ballester? Comment below!