Western Amateur History

Renowned as one of the toughest tests in amateur golf, the Western Amateur has been a prestigious national championship since its founding in 1899. Many of golf’s greatest players have etched their names on the George R. Thorne Trophy, while countless others have struggled to conquer its grueling format.

The championship field consists of 156 invited players from around the world. Competitors begin with 18 holes of stroke play on Tuesday and Wednesday, after which the field is cut to the low 44 scores and ties. Those who advance play 36 more holes of stroke play on Thursday to determine the “Sweet Sixteen,” who then compete in match play on Friday and Saturday to crown the champion. The Sweet Sixteen represents the very best of amateur golf. Since 2006, notable Sweet Sixteen qualifiers have included PGA TOUR stars such as Scottie Scheffler, Rickie Fowler, Gary Woodland, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa.

The Western Amateur is the world’s third-oldest amateur championship, following the British Amateur (1885) and the U.S. Amateur (1895). In addition to its rich tradition, the championship continues to attract the world’s top amateurs, showcasing their skills in what is widely regarded as the most demanding format in the game.

Fourteen Western Amateur champions have gone on to win a total of 52 major championships, with Jack Nicklaus (18) and Tiger Woods (14) accounting for more than 60 percent. Other champions span the 20th century, from H.C. Egan in 1902 (four U.S. Opens) to Charles “Chick” Evans in 1909 (U.S. Open), to Nicklaus in 1961, Phil Mickelson in 1991 (three Masters), and Woods in 1994. Evans, Nicklaus and Woods are the only golfers to have won the Western Amateur, Western Open, U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open.

Early in its history, the Western Golf Association held the championship at premier courses in the Chicagoland area near the original WGA headquarters in Golf, Illinois. Over time, the event expanded to revered courses across the country while regularly returning to the Chicago region.

Download the Western Amateur record book in PDF format.