The 2024 U.S. Amateur at Hazeltine National in Chaska, Minnesota, saw only one in five golfers making it to match play after the stroke play rounds. The cut came in at even-par 142, with 67 golfers finishing at or below that number. Stroke play medalist Jimmy Ellis, a 39-year-old from Florida, earned his way into the field earlier by winning the Florida Amateur. Notable amateurs who failed to make the cut include Ian Gilligan, who shot 3 under on the second day but an opening 76 kept him out of match play. The Trans-Mississippi winner had a brilliant 64 but missed match play by a shot after an opening 79.
The reigning college player of the year, a rising sophomore at Auburn, followed an opening 68 with a 76 to miss the cut at the U.S. Amateur. Parker Bell, a semifinalist last year, also missed the cut by two strokes after rounds of 69 and 75. Stewart Hagestad, the reigning U.S. Mid-Amateur champion, shot a 76 at Hazeltine and a 69 at Chaska Town Course but still missed the cut. Miles Russell opened with a 74 at Chaska, then finished strong with five birdies on the back nine at Hazeltine. Blades Brown, Michael La Sasso, Maxwell Ford, Trevor Gutschewski, and Hiroshi Tai also failed to make the cut at the event.
The stellar play of these young and talented golfers was not enough to secure their spots in the match play rounds at the U.S. Amateur. Despite consistent rounds and high rankings, players like world No. 30 La Sasso and WAGR No. 34 Maxwell Ford were unable to advance. The competition at Hazeltine National proved to be challenging, with only a select few golfers able to progress to the next stage. The excitement of the U.S. Amateur continued to build as the field narrowed down to those who would compete in match play and have a shot at the title. The playoff round set the bracket for the next stage of the tournament, adding even more drama to the event.
