Less than two years after winning the 2016 Patriot All-America Invitational, Cameron Champ has earned his PGA TOUR card after finishing fifth on the Web.com money list.
Champ gained national attention in 2017 as an amateur for leading the field in driving distance at the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills. Champ chose to forgo his senior season at Texas A&M, turning his sights to the 2017 Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament instead. After finishing T16 and earning status for the 2018 season, Champ picked up his first professional victory at the 2018 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, posting a 24-under 260 to set a new 72-hole tournament record.
At the 2016 Patriot All-America, played December 29-31 at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz., Champ knocked in a one-foot putt for par on the second playoff hole to defeat Zach Olsen of Oklahoma State. Champ entered the final round tied for sixth, three-shots back of second round leader. During his final round, Champ shot a 4-under par 66 (203) that included six birdies and two bogeys to get into the playoff. Meanwhile, Olsen entered the final round tied for eighth, four-shots back. Olsen shot a 5-under par 65 (the best round of the day) to qualify for the playoff.
The 23-year-old Champ is already the longest driver in golf on both the Web.com and PGA TOURs as he averages 342.6 yards per drive, more than 20 yards longer than PGA TOUR leader Rory McIlroy.
Champ joins a host of Patriot All-America on the PGA TOUR, including three-time major winner Brooks Koepka (2011 Patriot participant), Justin Thomas (2011), Daniel Berger (2012) and Bryson DeChambeau (2013). Champ, however, is the first former Patriot All-America champion to earn PGA TOUR status