5 amateurs to watch from Michael Jordan's buddy to a golf industry exec, plus pro Gary Koch, at the 2024 U.S. Senior Open

27/06/2024 14:00

Forget Steve Stricker, Ernie Els and even Lee Westwood, who is making his PGA Tour Champions debut this week, at the U.S. Senior Open at Newport Country Club in Newport, Rhode Island. One of them may win the title at a great, historic venue but let’s take a moment to celebrate some of the really cool stories of the amateurs who have made the field.

There are 19 amateurs teeing it up this week, which is impressive in its own right given that more than 3,000 golfers submitted entries for the 44th U.S. Senior Open, the third-most in the championship’s history. They were competing for about 75 available qualifier spots, with more than half the field having exemptions based on past performance and senior tour status.

We’re not going to run through all the ams — though do wonder how often Brad Steven gets confused for former Butler University and current Boston Celtics GM Brad Stevens — but there are so many compelling storylines among this bunch that we’re compelled to share some of the better ones.