U.S. Amateur Public Links
Encyclopedia
The U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, often referred to as the Public Links or the Publinx, is a men's amateur
golf
tournament, one of 10 individual amateur championships organized by the United States Golf Association
. The USGA typically calls the event the U.S. Amateur Public Links, which it has registered as a service mark
. The tournament was devised as, and remains, a championship for golfers who play on public courses, as members of private clubs are barred from entry.
The first Public Links was held in 1922 at the Ottawa Park Course in Toledo, Ohio
. The event has grown over time, from 140 entries in 1922 to over 6,000 in 1998.
Eligibility is similar to that for the U.S. Amateur. Golfers must follow the USGA's guidelines for amateur status, which basically consider anyone who has ever played or taught golf for money to be a professional. The Public Links, like the U.S. Amateur, has no age limit. However, there are two key differences in the eligibility criteria for the Public Links:
While the Public Links is a men's competition, the tournament rules do not bar women from entering the event. In 2005, 15-year-old prodigy Michelle Wie
became the first woman to advance to the tournament proper (and also the first woman to qualify for any USGA men's championship).
As is the case for all other USGA championships, the original entrants are reduced to a manageable number by means of several sectional qualifying tournaments. The survivors then play two rounds of stroke play
, with the top 64 qualifying for a single-elimination tournament
held at match play
. All knockout matches are held over 18 holes, except for the 36-hole final. (Before 2001, the final was an 18-hole match.)
The winner of the event earns an invitation to the following year's Masters
, if still an amateur at the time of The Masters.
The 2005 edition, held in Lebanon, Ohio
, drew an unusually large amount of media attention due to Wie's presence. She had stated on several occasions that she wished to one day play in The Masters, and this event was generally considered to be her best chance to qualify. Wie advanced to the match play rounds, eventually losing in the quarterfinals to Clay Ogden, who went on to win the tournament.
The analogous event for women is the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links
, established in 1977 (which Wie herself won in 2003).
Trevor Immelman
became the first winner of the Public Links to win a Major Championship with his victory at the 2008 Masters Tournament
. His playing partner in the final round Brandt Snedeker
was also a past Public Links winner.
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
tournament, one of 10 individual amateur championships organized by the United States Golf Association
United States Golf Association
The United States Golf Association is the United States' national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for the U.S. and Mexico. Together with The R&A, the USGA produces and interprets the Rules of Golf. The USGA also provides a national handicap system...
. The USGA typically calls the event the U.S. Amateur Public Links, which it has registered as a service mark
Service mark
A service mark or servicemark is a trademark used in some countries, notably the United States, to identify a service rather than a product. When a service mark is federally registered, the standard registration symbol ® or "Reg U.S. Pat & TM Off" may be used...
. The tournament was devised as, and remains, a championship for golfers who play on public courses, as members of private clubs are barred from entry.
The first Public Links was held in 1922 at the Ottawa Park Course in Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. The event has grown over time, from 140 entries in 1922 to over 6,000 in 1998.
Eligibility is similar to that for the U.S. Amateur. Golfers must follow the USGA's guidelines for amateur status, which basically consider anyone who has ever played or taught golf for money to be a professional. The Public Links, like the U.S. Amateur, has no age limit. However, there are two key differences in the eligibility criteria for the Public Links:
- Entries are accepted from golfers with a USGA men's handicap of 4.4 or lower, as opposed to 2.4 for the U.S. Amateur.
- Entries are not accepted from players who have playing privileges at golf clubs not open to the general public, and such golfers are not allowed to compete if they receive such privileges between their entry and the end of the main tournament.
- Exceptions to above: The USGA does consider some players with privileges at non-public facilities to be "bona fide public course players," specifically those whose privileges are solely due to any of the following:
- Their enrollment in a specific educational institution.
- Their status as active or retired members of the military.
- Their current or former employment by an entity other than a golf club.
- Exceptions to above: The USGA does consider some players with privileges at non-public facilities to be "bona fide public course players," specifically those whose privileges are solely due to any of the following:
While the Public Links is a men's competition, the tournament rules do not bar women from entering the event. In 2005, 15-year-old prodigy Michelle Wie
Michelle Wie
Michelle Sung Wie is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour. At age 10, she became the youngest player to qualify for a USGA amateur championship. Wie would also become the youngest winner of the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links and the youngest to qualify for a LPGA Tour event...
became the first woman to advance to the tournament proper (and also the first woman to qualify for any USGA men's championship).
As is the case for all other USGA championships, the original entrants are reduced to a manageable number by means of several sectional qualifying tournaments. The survivors then play two rounds of stroke play
Stroke play
Stroke play, also known as medal play, is a scoring system in the sport of golf. It involves counting the total number of strokes taken on each hole during a given round, or series of rounds...
, with the top 64 qualifying for a single-elimination tournament
Single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match or bracket is immediately eliminated from winning the championship or first prize in the event...
held at match play
Match play
Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...
. All knockout matches are held over 18 holes, except for the 36-hole final. (Before 2001, the final was an 18-hole match.)
The winner of the event earns an invitation to the following year's Masters
The Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament, also known as The Masters , is one of the four major championships in professional golf. Scheduled for the first full week of April, it is the first of the majors to be played each year...
, if still an amateur at the time of The Masters.
The 2005 edition, held in Lebanon, Ohio
Lebanon, Ohio
The population at the 2010 census was 20,033. As of the census of 2000, there were 16,962 people residing in the city. The population density was 1,440.6 people per square mile . There were 6,218 housing units at an average density of 528.1 per square mile...
, drew an unusually large amount of media attention due to Wie's presence. She had stated on several occasions that she wished to one day play in The Masters, and this event was generally considered to be her best chance to qualify. Wie advanced to the match play rounds, eventually losing in the quarterfinals to Clay Ogden, who went on to win the tournament.
The analogous event for women is the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links
U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links
The U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship, often referred to as the Public Links or the Publinx, is a women's amateur golf tournament, one of 10 individual amateur championships organized by the USGA and first played in 1977. The USGA officially calls the event the U.S. Women's Amateur...
, established in 1977 (which Wie herself won in 2003).
Trevor Immelman
Trevor Immelman
Trevor John Immelman is a South African professional golfer and winner of the 2008 Masters Tournament.-Early years:Immelman was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Born into a golfing family , he took up golf at the age of five. He attended Hottentots Holland High School...
became the first winner of the Public Links to win a Major Championship with his victory at the 2008 Masters Tournament
2008 Masters Tournament
The 2008 Masters Tournament was a golf competition held at Augusta National Golf Club from April 10-13. It was the 72nd Masters Tournament, and the first major of the 2008 season. Trevor Immelman won with a score of -8 . Defending champion Zach Johnson finished tied for 20th at +3...
. His playing partner in the final round Brandt Snedeker
Brandt Snedeker
Brandt Snedeker is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Early years through College:Snedeker was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He was introduced to golf by his maternal grandmother, who managed a golf course in Missouri...
was also a past Public Links winner.
Winners
- 2011 Corbin Mills
- 2010 Lion Kim
- 2009 Brad BenjaminBrad Benjamin-Amateur career:Benjamin was born in Rockford, Illinois. He had a successful amateur career whilst at the University of Memphis. In his freshman year of 2006, he finished tied third in the Conference USA golf championships. The following year he won his first collegiate tournament. In summer 2009,...
- 2008 Jack Newman
- 2007 Colt KnostColt KnostColt Knost is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.-Amateur career:Knost was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Pilot Point, Texas. He was the Class 3A State Champion his senior year of 2003. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2007. While at SMU,...
- 2006 Casey Watabu
- 2005 Clay Ogden
- 2004 Ryan Moore
- 2003 Brandt SnedekerBrandt SnedekerBrandt Snedeker is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.-Early years through College:Snedeker was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He was introduced to golf by his maternal grandmother, who managed a golf course in Missouri...
- 2002 Ryan Moore
- 2001 Chez ReavieChez ReavieWilliam Chesney "Chez" Reavie is an American professional golfer.Reavie was born in Wichita, Kansas. He played collegiately at Arizona State University....
- 2000 D. J. TrahanD. J. TrahanDonald Roland "D.J." Trahan, Jr. is an American professional golfer.Trahan was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where he attended Hilton Head Island High School. He then moved to Spartanburg, South Carolina where he attended and graduated from Paul M....
- 1999 Hunter HaasHunter HaasHunter Haas is an American professional golfer.Haas was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He won the 1999 U.S. Amateur Public Links. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2000 and turned professional....
- 1998 Trevor ImmelmanTrevor ImmelmanTrevor John Immelman is a South African professional golfer and winner of the 2008 Masters Tournament.-Early years:Immelman was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Born into a golfing family , he took up golf at the age of five. He attended Hottentots Holland High School...
- 1997 Tim Clark
- 1996 Tim Hogarth
- 1995 Chris Wollmann
- 1994 Guy Yamamoto
- 1993 David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr. is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Berganio was born in Los Angeles, California. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links twice while playing college golf at the University of Arizona with Jim Furyk...
- 1992 Warren Schutte
- 1991 David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr. is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Berganio was born in Los Angeles, California. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links twice while playing college golf at the University of Arizona with Jim Furyk...
- 1990 Michael Combs
- 1989 Tim Hobby
- 1988 Ralph Howe III
- 1987 Kevin JohnsonKevin Johnson (golfer)Kevin Johnson is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the Nationwide Tour.-College career:Johnson was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He attended Clemson University and was Clemson's first three-time All-American in golf...
- 1986 Billy MayfairBilly MayfairWilliam Fred Mayfair is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour .-Early years and amateur career:Mayfair was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Before his fifteenth birthday, he had won a number of junior golf tournaments. In 1981, he was on the cover of Boys' Life magazine as "golf's...
- 1985 Jim Sorenson
- 1984 Bill Malley
- 1983 Billy Tuten
- 1982 Billy Tuten
- 1981 Jodie MuddJodie MuddJoseph Martin "Jodie" Mudd is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.Mudd was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he developed into an honored amateur golfer.Mudd won four PGA Tour events during his career...
- 1980 Jodie MuddJodie MuddJoseph Martin "Jodie" Mudd is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.Mudd was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he developed into an honored amateur golfer.Mudd won four PGA Tour events during his career...
- 1979 Dennis Walsh
- 1978 Dean Prince
- 1977 Jerry Vidovic
- 1976 Eddie Mudd
- 1975 Randy Barenaba
- 1974 Charles Barenaba, Jr.
- 1973 Stan Stopa
- 1972 Bob Allard
- 1971 Fred Haney
- 1970 Robert Risch
- 1969 John M. Jackson, Jr.
- 1968 Gene Towry
- 1967 Verne Callison
- 1966 Monty KaserMonty KaserLamont A. "Monty" Kaser was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s....
- 1965 Arne Dokka
- 1964 William McDonald
- 1963 Robert Lunn
- 1962 R. H. SikesR. H. SikesRichard H. Sikes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.A native of Paris, Arkansas, Sikes had a stellar amateur and college career as a member of the golf team at the University of Arkansas. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1961 and 1962. In...
- 1961 R. H. SikesR. H. SikesRichard H. Sikes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.A native of Paris, Arkansas, Sikes had a stellar amateur and college career as a member of the golf team at the University of Arkansas. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1961 and 1962. In...
- 1960 Verne Callison
- 1959 William A. Wright
- 1958 Dan SikesDan SikesDaniel David Sikes, Jr. was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Sikes won nine tournaments as a pro, including six PGA Tour events.- Early years :...
- 1957 Don Essig III
- 1956 James H. Buxbaum
- 1955 Sam D. Kocsis
- 1954 Gene Andrews
- 1953 Ted Richards, Jr.
- 1952 Omer L. Bogan
- 1951 Dave Stanley
- 1950 Stanley Bielat
- 1949 Kenneth J. Towns
- 1948 Michael R. Ferentz
- 1947 Wilfred Crossley
- 1946 Smiley QuickSmiley QuickLyman Loren "Smiley" Quick was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1940s and 1950s....
- 1942-45 No tournament due to World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- 1941 William M. Welch, Jr.
- 1940 Robert C. Clark
- 1939 Andrew Szwedko
- 1938 Al Leach
- 1937 Bruce N. McCormick
- 1936 Pat AbbottPat AbbottBuell Patrick Abbott was an American professional golfer.Abbott was born in Pasadena, California. In 1936, he won the U.S. Amateur Public Links, beating Claude Rippy 4 & 3. In 1938, he lost the U.S. Amateur to Willie Turnesa 8 & 7. He would lose the U.S. Amateur again in 1941 to Bud Ward 4 & 3...
- 1935 Frank StrafaciFrank StrafaciFrank Strafaci was an American amateur golfer, who competed against the top amateurs of his time. He is remembered as one of Brooklyn's top amateur golfers.-Career:...
- 1934 David A. Mitchell
- 1933 Charles Ferrera
- 1932 R. L. Miller
- 1931 Charles Ferrera
- 1930 Robert E. Wingate
- 1929 Carl F. Kauffmann
- 1928 Carl F. Kauffmann
- 1927 Carl F. Kauffmann
- 1926 Lester Bolstad
- 1925 Raymond J. McAuliffe
- 1924 Joseph Coble
- 1923 Richard J. Walsh
- 1922 Edmund R. Held
Multiple winners
- 3 wins: Carl F. Kauffmann
- 2 wins: David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr.David Berganio, Jr. is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.Berganio was born in Los Angeles, California. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links twice while playing college golf at the University of Arizona with Jim Furyk...
, Verne Callison, Charles Ferrera, Ryan Moore, Jodie MuddJodie MuddJoseph Martin "Jodie" Mudd is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.Mudd was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, where he developed into an honored amateur golfer.Mudd won four PGA Tour events during his career...
, R. H. SikesR. H. SikesRichard H. Sikes is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.A native of Paris, Arkansas, Sikes had a stellar amateur and college career as a member of the golf team at the University of Arkansas. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1961 and 1962. In...
, Billy Tuten