“Me and Nick go way back so it’s awesome to see him do that,” said a joyous Luke Clanton while alluding to Nick Dunlap winning the 2024 American Express. He also pointed out how amateur athletes nowadays are so good at what they do. But little did he know that he would also be subjected to the limelight owing to his performances on the greens.

It is not a surprise that the amateur golfer has turned many heads, all thanks to his impressive talent. And since golf occasionally witnesses the rise of a new face who slowly rises through the ranks through immense hard work, it becomes natural for the community to become curious about Clanton. Interestingly, the golfer had even contented with Neal Shipley for low amateur at the 2024 U.S. Open!

The 20-year-old Luke Clanton from Florida

The athlete was born on November 5, 2003, to his parents, David and Rhonda Clanton. He grew up in Hialeah, Florida, alongside two sisters called Ray and Abby. The future golfer then completed his education at the American Heritage High School in Plantation, which is located 10 miles to the west of Fort Lauderdale. Clanton finished his sophomore year at Florida State University and plays collegiate golf as part of the Seminole Boosters.

His father works three jobs, as a landscaper, and a golf instructor, and he also runs a glass business. His mother, meanwhile, is a flight attendant. He was supported much in his life by his parents and two sisters, Ray (a model and photographer in New York City) and Abby (a former collegiate soccer player and now a veterinarian in Minnesota).

Clanton and his inspiration to enter golf

Introduced to golf at a very young age by his father, his first coach, he grew up playing the game at the nearby Country Club of Miami. The municipal facility boasts a 36-hole layout and is located about half an hour northwest of downtown Miami. Although the grounds are not what it used to be, with fairways run by crabgrass alongside slow and scruffy putting greens, it’s what the 20-year-old calls home.

His love for the game can be seen from the fact that he used to host U.S. Open watch parties at his house with his buddies when he was just 10 years old. Fast forward 10 years, and the golfer managed to bring his buddies to the iconic Pinehurst No. 2 to watch him play his first U.S. Open. He became one of the 16 amateurs teeing it off at the event.

Clanton’s notable amateur career

The Florida native, after four days of play at Pinehurst, carded a score of 8-over par overall to finish tied at T41 with the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and six others. Regardless of his finish, the golfer was extremely excited to play in the field at the major. “To even play in the field is pretty sweet. Growing up playing this sport and being able to be at the U.S. Open, when you’re a little kid practicing putts to make the U.S. Open, it’s unbelievable.”

That’s not all. The golfer’s gameplay on the greens as an amateur was so noteworthy that it helped him climb as high as No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. Back in 2015, he had won the U.S. Kids World Junior (boys 11 and under), not to mention emerging victorious later on in 2022 at the North and South Amateur, held at Pinehurst. Luke Clanton was also triumphant at the 2021–22 Florida High School State Championship and was the Broward Boys Golfer of the Year for the same season.

He also became the first Seminole from Florida State University to ever win three consecutive tournaments. Clanton emerged successful at the Seminole Intercollegiate, the Valspar Collegiate Invitational, and the Lewis Chitengwa Memorial. As a result of his victories, he was able to earn an exemption into the 2025 Valspar Championship as well at the Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort in Palm Harbor.

The golfer made his PGA Tour debut at the 2024 Rocket Mortgage Classic, following which he carded the third-lowest 54-hole score by an amateur on Tour in the last four seasons. His 14-under 202 after three days came as a result of his figures of 69-68-65 from 16 birdies, four bogeys and an eagle.

Clanton surely has turned many heads and become the center of attention through his skills and talent. One thing is for sure: the amateur golfer can truly become a force to be reckoned with as long as he makes the best use of his opportunities while sporting a lot of hard work and determination!