Staff WriterLet’s be honest—if you’re looking for golf at its rawest, purest, and most unpredictably glorious, forget the corporate logos and million-dollar paychecks.
The Amateur Championship is where the game’s soul still punches above its weight—and this year, the 130th edition is setting records before a ball has even been struck.
A whopping 612 entries have flooded in for next week’s showdown across Royal St George’s and Royal Cinque Ports, beating the previous high from 2022 by 27.
That’s a lot of hopefuls chasing one golden carrot: a ticket to The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the 2026 U.S. Open, and, by tradition, a handshake with the ghosts of Augusta in the form of a Masters invitation.
From that stampede, 288 players have made the cut, with 23 battling through today’s Pre-Qualifying gauntlet.
But as the Amateur Championship tees off on Monday 16 June, three names are already casting long shadows over the Kent coastline: England’s Dominic Clemons, America’s Tommy Morrison, and South Africa’s Christiaan Maas.
The Return of the Nearly Man
Let’s start with Clemons, who has some demons to exorcise. The Englishman was runner-up last year, falling 4&3 to Denmark’s Jacob Skov Olesen in a final that still haunts his dreams like a shanked approach.
“I’ve mentally got stronger following the loss in the Final – if I can take a loss like that then I can take any kind of loss, as it’s one of the worst matches to lose,” Clemons said.
Now, bolstered by experience and more battle-hardened than a Ryder Cup fan in the beer tent, Clemons is back for another bite.
“It was a frustrating finish last year but it was still a great week… I’m looking forward to getting back, getting into the match play and getting some of those good feelings again. Hopefully, I’ll have a good week.”
Morrison’s Links Love Affair
Clemons won’t have it easy. Tommy Morrison—world number five and the sort of lad who looks like he was born holding a 2-iron—is no stranger to this arena.
Twice he’s reached the match play rounds at the Amateur Championship, and last year he earned a berth at The Open at Royal Troon after taking the European Amateur crown. He even became the first American to win it.
“The Open was amazing last summer. I didn’t have my best stuff and still managed to play four rounds,” Morrison said. “It gives me a lot of confidence… I’m definitely hungry to get back.”
He’s got the chops for links golf, too. “Obviously, over here with the wind and conditions, I’ve been successful with my ball control and I feel comfortable on courses like these,” he added. “I just like the style of golf and believe it suits my game nicely.”
Still, he’s under no illusions. The field is stacked—three of the WAGR top ten, and 23 of the top 100 are in town.
“I’ve just got to play some nice golf and get a little lucky with the weather. There are a ton of good competitors in the field and I need to take care of my business.”
Christiaan the Caddie Turned Contender
And then there’s Christiaan Maas. Ranked No. 4 in the world and armed with more natural talent than a young Ernie Els at a buffet, Maas has unfinished business with the Amateur Championship.
Despite three previous attempts, he’s never made it to the match play rounds. But here’s the twist: he’s twice caddied for the winner—South Africans Aldrich Potgieter in 2022 and Christo Lamprecht in 2023. Not bad for someone still waiting on their breakout.
“Match play is a format where anything can happen,” Maas said. “Caddying all those rounds, you learn not to get complacent… Being patient and playing continuous smart golf is key.”
He’s also been doing his homework. While he’s yet to play Royal St George’s, he’s devoured YouTube footage of Darren Clarke and Collin Morikawa’s Open wins.
“I’m a big golf fanatic and I watch a lot of golf on YouTube,” he confessed. “My father has played it so I have a sense of a few of the holes but it’s difficult to gauge the course looking at a screen.”
Make no mistake—this is the one he wants. “It’s the amateur championship I want to win the most – I love links golf and it’s a long week… Hopefully this year I can start off solid and make the match play.”
History, Legacy, and a Whole Lot of Weather
First held in 1885 at Hoylake, the Amateur Championship has seen legends like Bobby Jones, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia etch their names in its granite.
This year, 288 competitors from 45 countries—including first-time entries from Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, Romania, and Vietnam—will chase glory.
Royal St George’s, making its 15th appearance as host, last saw action in 2017 when Harry Ellis triumphed on the 38th hole. Its co-host, Royal Cinque Ports, last crowned a champion in 2013 when Garrick Porteous lifted the trophy.
Stroke play kicks off Monday, 16 June and continues Tuesda,y 17 June. After 36 holes across both courses, the top 64 will move into match play running through Saturday 21 June. In the event of a tie for 64th? A playoff. Because of course.
Spectators are welcome—gratis, no less. And for those glued to their screens, The R&A will livestream the quarter-finals and semi-finals on Friday, and the 36-hole Final on Saturday via Sky Sports in the UK and globally on R&A TV and YouTube.
Final thought? You can keep your private jets and champagne showers. The Amateur Championship is where pride, passion, and perseverance still mean something.
And in a week’s time, someone’s life is going to change on a windswept strip of English turf.
