Twenty amateurs started the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, and that was more than ten percent of the 156-man field. Of those 20 amateurs, five made the cut: Ryder Cowan, Miles Russell, Jackson Koivun, Marek Fleming, and Eric Lee.

However, they did not receive any prize money for their impressive outings. Rule 3.1 in the USGA’s Rules of Amateur Status states that an amateur golfer cannot play for money "in a golf match, exhibition, or other competition such as a tournament."

They can still fight for low-amateur honors, build their name, and leave with a bigger stage and a stronger resume, but the prize money they would have earned does not go to them.

Instead, it gets redistributed among the pros who made the cut. However, the pros who missed the weekend receive $10,000 in unofficial money from the USGA.

Take Nick Dunlap's case, for instance. He won the American Express as an amateur in 2024 and was forced to turn down the $1.5 million prize money because of his status, and then turned pro just days later.

And before the 2024 U.S. Open, Dunlap said, "No, I honestly don't think [they should be paid]. I think there should be maybe some kind of end-of-the-week to help out with some of the expenses, maybe.  Weeks like this are expensive, especially at Augusta. "

The amateurs are also ineligible for a $10,000 check from the USGA, which covers expenses at any major tournament week for players.

Koivun and Cowan share their historic experience

For Jackson Koivun, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills was a goodbye to amateur golf. He ended it with a clean and proud finish. Koivun is turning professional this week and will make his debut at the John Deere Classic in just a few days.

"Shinnecock was so much fun this weekend," Koivun said. "Just happy to walk away with a birdie on the last hole, but golf course is so good, so much fun. A lot of thinking to do, and can definitely mentally wear you down. But just happy to be able to say I went out there and tried my hardest."

For Ryder Cowan, this was his very first major championship, and he still has one more year of college left.

"It gives me a lot of confidence, and just that I know I can come out here and compete with the best," Cowan said. "I played good all week, but I definitely missed out in some spots. Like, I didn't play perfect golf, which no one does, but I feel like there's definitely some spots I can get better in."

The rising Oklahoma senior held the solo lead for a moment during Thursday's opening round. On the 18th hole on Sunday, after a birdie on the 17th, he almost grabbed the "low amateur" honors all for himself. But he just missed.

He added: "That gives me a lot of confidence because knowing that I still played okay and came to compete against these guys and didn't have my best stuff is reassuring."

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Written by

Md Saife Fida

Edited by

Ankita Yadav