The 2024 PGA Tour season saw a remarkable performance by amateur golfers, with a total of 14 amateurs making 20 cuts throughout the season. Luke Clanton of Florida State stood out as the top-performing amateur, making cuts at six different events and securing two top 5 finishes in his first five events. Neal Shipley also stood out by making two cuts at major tournaments, the Masters and the U.S. Open. However, Nick Dunlap stole the spotlight by claiming victory at the American Express, becoming one of only eight golfers to win a PGA Tour event as an amateur.
While amateurs do not receive prize money for making cuts or winning events, if they were eligible to receive winnings based on their finishing positions, the 14 amateurs who made cuts in the 2024 season would have collectively earned a total of $3,484,280. Dunlap’s victory at the American Express would have earned him $1.512 million, while Clanton’s tie for second at the John Deere could have earned him $712,000. If Clanton had cashed in on all six of his finishes, he could have potentially won $1,346,313 in prize money.
The list of amateurs who made cuts on the PGA Tour in 2024 includes impressive performances across various tournaments. For example, Santiago De La Fuente finished tied for 46th at the Mexico Open at Vidanta, potentially earning $25,515 if eligible for prize money. Jackson Van Paris finished tied for 10th at the Puerto Rico Open, with a potential earnings of $93,000. Neal Shipley made the cut at the Masters and the U.S. Open, potentially earning $46,800 and $153,281, respectively.
Other notable finishes by amateurs include Kris Kim at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Blades Brown at the Myrtle Beach Classic, and Jackson Koivun at the Memorial. Gunnar Broin finished tied for 70th at the U.S. Open, potentially earning $39,982. Ben James finished tied for 44th at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, potentially earning $29,164. Calum Scott finished tied for 43rd at the British Open, potentially earning $57,200. Tommy Morrison and Jacob Skov Olesen both finished tied for 60th at the British Open, potentially earning $32,100 each.
In addition to their impressive performances as amateurs, several of these players have gone on to have successful careers as professional golfers. For example, Nick Dunlap later won the Barracuda Championship for his first victory as a professional. Luke Clanton also continued to perform well in his professional career, finishing fifth at the Wyndham Championship and tying for 50th at the Procore Championship. Overall, the 2024 PGA Tour season showcased the talent and potential of amateur golfers, with several standout performances and promising futures in the world of professional golf.
