OAKMONT, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Counted out, under recruited and three=down after the 27th hole, James Piot with a remarkable back nine to win the 121st US Amateur at Oakmont Country Club.
The 22-year-old senior at Michigan State won the 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st holes to take a one-up lead and added a win on the 33rd to go two-up with three to play.
“Right after 12,” Piot said of where he took control. “That par-5, we got to even. I felt from there all of the momentum was on my side. I had a lot of people out here who happened to be Michigan State or fans of me somehow, someway. The crowd getting going and it just felt right from there.”
Piot went bunker-to-bunker on 17, but made a 20-footer for par to put the pressure on Ohio native Austin Greaser’s 5-foot birdie slider that lipped out ending the match, 2 and 1.
More than just a trophy and a medal come with the championship. A 10-year exemption to the US Amateur as long as he stays an amateur. Piot also gets an exemption to the 2022 US Open, the 2022 Open Championship and likely an invitation to the Masters.
“It’s just a phenomenal feeling,” Piot said. “It validates where I ended up. It’s a message to all the guys out there that don’t go to that big time school that you can do it.”
Piot is the first US Amateur champion from the state of Michigan.
“There is a lot of talent that come out of Michigan, but very few get the opportunity to play in the south,” Piot said. “Growing up that put a chip on my shoulder. I feel a lot of kids get beaten down and feel they don’t belong. I just put a chip on my shoulder and said keep working harder.”
It’s the 17th USGA championship at Oakmont. Previous winners include Robert Trent Jones, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Patty Sheehan, Ernie Els, Paula Creamer and Dustin Johnson.
“That’s a surreal feeling to know my name is up there with some of those greats,” Piot said. “It’s the coolest thing ever.”
Only Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA has hosted more USGA Championships. The next championship at Oakmont Country Club is the 2025 US Open.