8 Things You Didn't Know About James Piot
Get to know the 2021 U.S. Amateur champion James Piot a little better.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to Golf Monthly Newsletter Newsletter

8 Things You Didn't Know About James Piot
1. Piot was born in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
2. He won the final of the U.S. Amateur in 2021 at Oakmont Country Club, winning four consecutive holes on the back-nine to defeat Austin Greaser of North Carolina, 2 and 1. Piot became the first U.S. Amateur champion from Michigan. With the win he earned a spot in the 2022 Masters, U.S. Open and Open Championship.
He said; “It’s the greatest feeling in the world. I mean, as an amateur it’s the best thing you can do. After making that putt on 17, I was just like, oh, my God, I might’ve done it. It feels phenomenal, shows the hard work I’ve done is paying off.”
3. Piot made his first PGA Tour start at the 2022 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
4. In high school, he led Detroit Catholic Central to three consecutive state championships and won the Michigan junior amateur championship in 2015
5. After securing a spot in the Masters, Piot wanted to give his Michigan State assistant coach Dan Ellis the chance to caddy for him at the event after they teamed up at the U.S. Amateur. So Piot wrote a letter to the NCAA asking for a waiver to the rule that prohibits college coaches from caddying for college golfers in professional tournaments. In March 2022 Piot got word for the NCAA that the waiver was approved.
6. Piot enrolled at Michigan State in 2017, majoring in finance. He earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors in 2018.
7. His brother Glenn also played for Michigan State between 2015 and 2019.
8. Piot has said Jordan Spieth is his favorite athlete.
A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last five years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He also loves to test golf apparel especially if it a piece that can be used just about anywhere!
As a result he has always been the one family and friends come to for buying advice and tips.
He is a graduate of Swansea University where he studied History and American Studies, and he has been a part of the Golf Monthly team since December 2017. He also previously worked for World Soccer and Rugby World magazines.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website. He also oversees all Tour player content as well.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
-
-
Oceantee Premium Bamboo Tees Review
Our verdict on this collection of sustainable golf tees that should be easy to spot and last longer than a typical hardwood tee
By Joel Tadman • Published
-
Westwood Rubbishes Any Chance Of LIV Golf v PGA Tour Ryder Cup-Style Match
Lee Westwood told Liverpool FC legend Robbie Fowler that there is no chance of a LIV Golf v PGA Tour match
By Paul Higham • Published