The United States Golf Association accepted a record 7,920 entries for this Championship, some 1,254 more than the previous Amateur record of 6,666 set in 1997 when the Handicap Limit was at 3.4, a stroke higher than it is currently. In fact, this Amateur received more entries than any USGA championship ever, including the U.S. Open.
Tickets are limited.
Amateur have become household names in recent years - Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard and Tiger Woods. Woods won the Amateur crown a record three consecutive times from 1994-96, followed by Matt Kuchar in 1997 and Hank Kuehne in 1998. Kuchar, of Lake Mary, Fla., will compete next month, but the others have since joined the professional ranks. The top returning player from a year ago is runner-up Tom McKnight of Galax, Va., who has already played in the Masters and U.S. Open in 1999. Only 312 golfers will qualify to play at Pebble Beach.