3 Key Points
– Nick Dunlap earns Male Amateur of the Year with historic wins.
– Ludvig Aberg and Stewart Hagestad receive honorable mentions for exceptional seasons.
– Gordon Sargent captivates with achievements, including low amateur honors at the U.S. Open.
Golfweek had its annual 2023 year end awards. Here is a breakdown of their top Male Golf amateur players.
2023 Male Amateur Golf Standout: Nick Dunlap
Throughout an impressive year in men’s amateur golf, several standout players made their mark. At the pinnacle, Nick Dunlap distinguished himself with a series of exceptional performances. Dunlap joined an elite group headlined by Tiger Woods by achieving consecutive titles at the Northeast Amateur and the North & South Amateur.
Dunlap’s Historic Season
Nick Dunlap’s season was highlighted by his triumph at the prestigious U.S. Amateur in Cherry Hills Country Club, where he etched his name in history alongside Woods as one of the only two amateurs to win both the U.S. Junior and U.S. Amateur titles. His achievements also included pivotal roles in team competitions, contributing to the U.S. team’s success in the Walker Cup at St. Andrews and the World Amateur Team Championship.
Collegiate Successes and Further Honors
Apart from his summer victories, Dunlap added to his accolades with two collegiate wins while playing for Alabama, including the Linger Longer Invitational and a stroke-play win at SEC Match Play. These formidable performances ultimately secured him the honor of Golfweek’s Male Amateur of the Year for 2023.
Other Notable Amateur Golfers of 2023
Not to be overshadowed, Ludvig Aberg finished his college career at Texas Tech with groundbreaking success by winning consecutive Big 12 Conference titles and achieving the rare feat of earning a PGA Tour card directly through PGA Tour University.
Veterans and Newcomers Make Their Mark
Stewart Hagestad, already a legend in the mid-amateur ranks, continued to add to his legacy with yet another Walker Cup victory and a third U.S. Mid-Amateur title. Meanwhile, Gordon Sargent dazzled audiences with powerful drives at the U.S. Open, securing the low amateur title, and excelling in both the Walker Cup and Palmer Cup, paired with two college wins.
The achievements of these athletes highlight a remarkable year for men’s amateur golf, setting a high bar for the seasons to come.
