Elliott Heath
The low amateur honor was introduced to the US Open in 1979 and, since then, the non-professional with the lowest score who makes the cut has received a medal for the achievement.
In the 46 years since, 39 players have either shared it or won it outright, with one player even becoming low amateur twice. For some of those winners, the achievement marked a career high point, but many others went on to achieve more success in their professional careers. Among them are some names that particularly stand out.
Here are 10 of the biggest names to have secured the Jack Nicklaus medal.
Viktor Hovland: 2019
Viktor Hovland finished T12 at the 2019 US Open
When Viktor Hovland won the 2018 amateur, one of the perks was a place in the following year's US Open field at Pebble Beach and he certainly made the most of his opportunity, with a final-round 67 ensuring he placed T12 at the Major to claim low amateur honors.
While that was an achievement in itself, the manner of it was also notable, as his 72-hole score of 280 broke Jack Nicklaus' record for lowest score by an amateur in the US Open.
Since that day, Hovland has become one of the game's most established stars, with seven PGA Tour victories, including the 2025 Valspar Championship, and placing him firmly in the category of one of the best players yet to win a Major.
It's not just individual events where Hovland has shone either. He also played in the 2021 and 2023 Ryder Cups, and, despite some indifferent form approaching the 2025 edition, he remains a strong contender for a place with Team Europe at the Bethpage Black match.
Scottie Scheffler: 2017
Scottie Scheffler has gone on to become of the best players this era has seen
Scheffler and Cameron Champ were the only two amateurs to make the cut at the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills, but it was Scheffler who took low amateur honors when he finished one-under for a T27.
By that point, Scheffler had already made a name for himself in the amateur game, including at the previous year's US Open, when he held the clubhouse lead after the first round before missing the cut by one.
The American turned professional in 2018, and nowadays, he is regarded as arguably the outstanding player of his generation, with three Major titles among 21 pro victories ahead of the 2025 US Open.
Jon Rahm: 2016
Jon Rahm won the US Open low amateur in 2016
It was at 2025 US Open venue Oakmont where Rahm shot to prominence when he finished low amateur at the 2016 edition.
The Spaniard finished T23 at the Major in what was his final performance as an amateur. After turning professional, Rahm soon produced more impressive displays, including his maiden PGA Tour victory at the 2017 Farmers Insurance Open. Just five years after his Oakmont honor, he won the US Open before claiming his second Major title at the 2023 Masters.
Rahm has also represented Team Europe in the Ryder Cup three times and spent 52 weeks as World No.1.
In total, Rahm has claimed 11 PGA Tour wins, 10 on the DP World Tour and two with LIV Golf to confirm his status as one of the most impressive players of his generation.
Matt Fitzpatrick: 2014
Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2014 US Open low amateur
Like Rahm, Fitzpatrick turned professional after winning low amateur honors. His big moment came at the 2014 US Open at Pinehurst No.2, when he finished one-under and T48.
That came a year after he won the US Amateur, so there was some expectation he would carry that success into the professional game. He has largely done that, with 10 wins since, including victory at the 2022 US Open at The Country Club of Brookline, where he beat Will Zalatoris for his first Major title at the same venue he won the US Amateur.
Jordan Spieth: 2012
Jordan Spieth went on to win the US Open three years after becoming low amateur
Spieth won the low amateur medal in 2012 at the Olympic Club with a T21, and went on to win the US Open at Chambers Bay three years later. That was his second Major title of the year, after winning The Masters at Augusta National a couple of months earlier.
The only Major title that eludes Spieth is the PGA Championship, but with plenty of years ahead of him, many believe it is only a matter of time until he completes a career Grand Slam.
Those only tell part of the story of Spieth's career since his 2012 breakthrough, though. He has also topped the world rankings four times and has 13 PGA Tour wins, while he has also played in five Ryder Cups.
Patrick Cantlay: 2011
Patrick Cantlay has had a successful career since becoming the 2011 US Open low amateur
Cantlay was named the 2011 low amateur with a T21 at Congressional, and to prove he wasn't a flash in the pan, the following week, he shot a course-record 60 in the Travelers Championship.
After turning professional in 2012, he has built a successful career, including eight PGA Tour wins and a highest world ranking of third. Cantlay also lifted the FedEx Cup in 2021, while he has made three Presidents Cup appearances and two in the Ryder Cup.
One thing missing from Cantlay's resume is a Major win, something he will be hoping to rectify at the 2025 US Open.
Nick Taylor: 2009
Nick Taylor's low amatyer T36 is his best US Open placing
Taylor's 65 in the second round of the 2009 US Open at Bethpage Black set the record for the lowest score by an amateur in Major history. He ended the week in T36th to win low amateur honors before becoming the top-ranked male amateur golfer in the world.
Taylor famously went on to become the first home player to win the Canadian Open in 2023, which was his third PGA Tour victory, and he has since taken two more titles on the circuit.
Incredibly, that T36 in 2009 remains his best US Open finish to date.
Matt Kuchar: 1998
Matt Kuchar became US Open low amateur in 1998
Matt Kuchar won the low amateur at the US Open all the way back in 1998, when he finished in a share of 14th place at the Olympic Club. Since then, he has won nine wins on the PGA Tour, most notably with the 2012 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.
While Kuchar has yet to win a Major, the former World No.4 has recorded top-10 finishes in each, including runner-up at the 2017 Open.
Phil Mickelson: 1990 And 1991
Phil Mickelson became US Open low amateur twice
Mickelson finished as low amateur at the US Open in both 1990 and 1991, held at Medinah and Hazeltine, respectively, to become the only amateur to win it two years in a row.
Any golf fan knows how well Mickelson has done since then, going on to win six Majors, including three Masters victories, to take his place among the greats. The most recent of those Major successess came at the 2021 PGA Championship, making him the oldest Major winner in history, aged 50.
Despite his extraordinary achievements and those earlier low amateur honors, the US Open is the one Major trophy that Mickelson is yet to claim, despite coming agonizingly close six times. However, even the man himself has admitted time is running out, saying the 2025 edition could be his final chance to land a career Grand Slam.
Fred Couples: 1979
Fred Couples at the US Open in 1984, five years after becoming low amateur
Fred Couples took US Open low amateur honors all the way back in 1979 at Ohio's Inverness Club. He finished at 18-over in a difficult week of scoring to clinch the medal by two shots.
A 15-time winner on the PGA Tour and Masters champion in 1992, it's fair to say he has had a successful career since that achievement. He is not done yet, either. At the 2023 Masters, Couples became the oldest player to make the cut in the tournament, aged 63, while he came close to beating his own record at the 2025 edition before falling just short.
He is currently playing on the PGA Champions Tour, where he has 14 titles.
US Open Low Amateurs
- 2024: Neal Shipley
- 2023: Gordon Sargent
- 2022: Travis Vick
- 2021: No amateurs made the cut
- 2020: John Pak
- 2019: Viktor Hovland
- 2018: Luis Gagne and Matt Parziale
- 2017: Scottie Scheffler
- 2016: Jon Rahm
- 2015: Brian Campbell
- 2014: Matt Fitzpatrick
- 2013: Michael Kim
- 2012: Jordan Spieth
- 2011: Patrick Cantlay
- 2010: Russell Henly and Scott Langley
- 2009: Nick Taylor
- 2008: Michael Thompson
- 2007: No amateurs made the cut
- 2006: No amateurs made the cut
- 2005: Matt Every
- 2004: Spencer Levin
- 2003: Trip Kuehne
- 2002: Kevin Warrick
- 2001: Bryce Molder
- 2000: Jeffrey Wilson
- 1999: Hank Kuehne
- 1998: Matt Kuchar
- 1997: No amateurs made the cut
- 1996: Randy Leen
- 1995: No amateurs made the cut
- 1994: No amateurs made the cut
- 1993: Justin Leonard
- 1992: No amateurs made the cut
- 1991: Phil Mickelson
- 1990: Phil Mickelson
- 1989: No amateurs made the cut
- 1988: Billy Mayfair
- 1987: No amateurs made the cut
- 1986: Samuel Randolph
- 1985: Scott Verplank
- 1984: Robert Sigel and Richard Fehr
- 1983: Brad Faxon
- 1982: Nathaniel Crosby
- 1981: Joey Rassett
- 1980: Gary Hallberg
- 1979: Fred Couples
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