The eyes of the golfing world are firmly fixed on Royal Portrush in Northern Oreland this week as The 153rd Open Championship gets underway. While the world's best players battle for the coveted Claret Jug, a select group of talented amateur golfers, many of whom are current college stars, are also in the field, vying for glory and the prestigious Silver Medal awarded to the leading amateur.
These young talents represent the future of golf, honing their skills on the collegiate circuits before making their mark on the grandest stages. Their presence is a testament to the "Open" nature of this historic championship, providing a unique opportunity for amateur excellence to be showcased alongside the sport's legends.
Meet the Collegiate Contenders:
We are excited to follow the progress of several standout college golfers:
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Ethan Fang: Representing the powerhouse golf program at Oklahoma State University, Fang secured his spot in The Open by winning the prestigious 130th Amateur Championship at Royal St. George's in June 2025. This victory not only earned him a berth at Royal Portrush but also guaranteed invitations to the 2026 Masters and U.S. Open. Fang, a rising junior, had a stellar sophomore year for the Cowboys, helping them clinch their 12th national title. He is the first Oklahoma State amateur to compete in The Open since Jordan Niebrugge in 2015.
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Filip Jakubcik: Hailing from the University of Arizona, Jakubcik is another exciting talent who has demonstrated immense potential on the NCAA stage. He is coming off a remarkable season where he claimed his second consecutive victory at the Western Intercollegiate in April 2025, a wire-to-wire performance that solidified his standing as one of college golf's brightest stars. Jakubcik also played for the International team at the 2024 Palmer Cup, further showcasing his international pedigree.
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Cameron Adam: From Northwestern University, Adam will be looking to make a name for himself against the world's elite. He recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Scot in over a decade to claim the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy title in June 2025, following a dramatic play-off on the Old Course. This win marks his second success at the Home of Golf in under a year, having also triumphed with Northwestern University in the St Andrews Links Collegiate last autumn.
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Frazer Jones: A key player for the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Jones will be aiming to draw on his college experience to navigate the demanding Portrush course. He secured his place through Final Qualifying at Burnham & Berrow, shooting an impressive 7-under par over 36 holes. Jones is also part of the England Golf Performance program and recently won the Conference Championship with UNC-Charlotte in April.
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Connor Graham: A Texas Tech University student-athlete, Graham is a highly-touted prospect eager to prove himself on golf's biggest amateur stage. He earned his spot in a thrilling fashion, coming through a play-off at Final Qualifying at Dundonald Links. Graham, ranked No. 47 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), birdied the first playoff hole after firing rounds of 71-69 to finish 4-under par. He's a rising sophomore with a strong links pedigree and played for GB&I in the last Walker Cup at the Old Course.
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Sebastian Cave: Also representing the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Cave completes a strong showing from the Charlotte program. He qualified through Final Qualifying at Royal Cinque Ports, where he shot 5-under par over his two rounds. Cave made history in the 2024-25 season by setting a new Charlotte Men's Golf single-season stroke average record at 70.67, and finished third individually at the American Athletic Conference Championship, contributing to his team's conference title.
While winning the Claret Jug might be a long shot for these young college stars, the race for the Silver Medal is a significant achievement in itself, often serving as a springboard for future professional success.
The Silver Medal Legacy: 2024's Top Amateur
Last year at Royal Troon, the esteemed Silver Medal was claimed by Scotland's Calum Scott (Nairn), a student at Texas Tech University. Scott's impressive performance highlighted the calibre of talent emerging from the collegiate ranks. He ultimately finished tied 43rd at +8, a truly commendable effort in the toughest of conditions
How Amateurs Qualify for The Open Championship
Amateur golfers are an integral part of The Open Championship field, maintaining the event's tradition of being "open" to all skilled players. There are several pathways for amateurs to earn their coveted spot:
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Winners of Major Amateur Championships: This is a primary route. Champions of events like The Amateur Championship (also known as the British Amateur), the U.S. Amateur, the European Amateur, the Asia-Pacific Amateur, and the Latin America Amateur Championship automatically earn exemptions, provided they maintain their amateur status. Ethan Fang, for example, qualified through his win at The Amateur Championship.
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Mark H. McCormack Medal Winner: The player who finishes atop the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) at the end of the previous calendar year receives an exemption.
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Open Qualifying Series (OQS): A series of professional tournaments held worldwide where leading players not otherwise exempt can earn a spot in The Open. While primarily for professionals, high-finishing amateurs in these events can also qualify.
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Regional and Final Qualifying: This multi-stage process is open to both professionals and amateurs who meet certain handicap criteria. Players compete in Regional Qualifying events, with the top performers advancing to Final Qualifying, where a limited number of spots for The Open are on offer. Connor Graham, Frazer Jones, and Sebastian Cave all successfully navigated the rigorous Final Qualifying process.
Former College Golfers Who've Lifted the Claret Jug
The pipeline from college golf to Open Championship success is well-established. Many of golf's biggest names honed their skills in the collegiate system before embarking on illustrious professional careers. While it's a long and challenging journey from amateur contender to Champion Golfer of the Year, the groundwork laid in college is often crucial.
Looking back at recent Open Championship winners, numerous champions have a college golf background:
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Xander Schauffele (2024 Champion): Played college golf at Long Beach State and San Diego State.
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Brian Harman (2023 Champion): Played college golf at the University of Georgia.
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Collin Morikawa (2021 Champion): Starred at the University of California, Berkeley.
These examples underscore the importance of the collegiate system in developing future major champions. The competitive environment, coaching, and academic structure provide an unparalleled foundation for aspiring professional golfers.
Good luck to all the amateur contenders at Royal Portrush! Your journey from college courses to the grandest stage of golf is an inspiration to student-athletes everywhere.
