New Exemption Changes for U.S. Women’s Am and U.S. Amateur
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2019-08-07
By BETH MAJOR, USGA
LIBERTY CORNER, New Jersey — Beginning with this year's championships, the reigning U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur champions will have the opportunity to utilize their exemptions in the following year’s U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open as an amateur or professional. Previously, the reigning winners of the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur received an exemption into the following U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, respectively, only if they maintained their amateur status. Moving forward, the reigning champions will have the option to turn professional while maintaining their exempt place in the field.
“We believe this change gives our champions an important option as they choose whether and when to embark on their professional careers,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA Senior Managing Director, Championships. “Given the significant purses awarded at the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, we realize how important it is for players to make the most appropriate decision for his or her career, and the positive impact it could have at the outset of their professional careers.”