This US Open amateur is golf’s next breakout star – and we’ve got the proof
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The Cayman Islands’ Justin Hastings made history at the 2025 US Open. And if past winners of the low amateur medal are anything to go by, this could be just the beginning of something special.
Fifteen amateurs teed it up at the 2025 US Open. Nobody realistically expected any of them to lift the trophy at Oakmont, but they were playing out their own compelling sub-plot while the pros battled for the main prize.
The US Open’s ‘low amateur’ honor, introduced in 1979, is awarded to the non-professional who makes the cut and finishes with the lowest total. There’s no prize money attached – amateurs remain unpaid by definition – but the recognition is a big deal. It’s a prestigious medal in its own right, and often seen as a launchpad for the stars of tomorrow.
In 2025, that medal belonged to Justin Hastings, who shot 73-73 to make the cut at +6 and become the only amateur to play the weekend.
Who is Justin Hastings?
Hastings might be a new name to many, but the 21-year-old has been making waves on the amatuer circuit for years – despite hailing from one of the world’s smallest golf scenes.
- He’s from Grand Cayman – an island in the Caribbean. The Cayman Islands have just 27 holes of golf.
- He’s not a one-sport pony – back in 2018, he represented the Cayman Islands in roller hockey at the North American Championships.
- He made the cut at the Latin America Amateur Championship aged just 14, in the same event won by future PGA Tour and LIV Golf star Joaquin Niemann.
- He helped the Cayman Islands win the Hoerman Cup (Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships) in 2020 – their first ever victory – coming from five shots back on the final day to win by five.
- He plays college golf at San Diego State University, where he broke program records with the lowest career scoring average (71.48), edging out Xander Schauffele’s previous mark.
- He’s currently ranked 15th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
- He made his PGA Tour debut at the Puerto Rico Open in 2024, shooting rounds of 70-71 to miss the cut by a single stroke.
- He won the 2025 Latin America Championship in January, shooting 16-under across four rounds to win by a single shot. The win secured him starts at the Masters, US Open, and Open Championship.
- In his major debut at Augusta, he was the best-placed amateur after rounds of 76-72 left him at four-over. His performance wasn’t enough to win the Silver Cup, though, as he missed the halfway cut by two.
- He starred at the 2025 Arnold Palmer Cup in January, winning four points from four matches to help Team International defeat Team USA at Congaree Golf Club, South Carolina.
He’s clearly not just a one-week wonder. And if history is anything to go by, Hastings might be destined for even greater things.
Who has won the US Open low amateur before?
The list of past low amateur medalists reads like a who’s who of modern golf. Hastings joins a group that includes multiple major winners and Ryder Cup stars. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest names to have claimed the title:
Viktor Hovland – Low amateur in 2019
The Norwegian claimed low amateur honors at Pebble Beach before turning pro later that year. He’s now a multiple-time PGA Tour winner, a Ryder Cup stalwart, and was the 2023 FedEx Cup champion.
Scottie Scheffler – Low amateur in 2017
Scheffler was the low amateur at Erin Hills and is now the world No. 1, a three-time major champion, and the most dominant player in the game at present.
Jon Rahm – Low amateur in 2016
Low amateur at Oakmont, Rahm quickly rose through the ranks after turning pro. He’s since become a Masters champion, U.S. Open winner, and a Ryder Cup force for Team Europe.
Matt Fitzpatrick – Low amateur in 2014
After finishing low amateur at Pinehurst No.2 in 2014, Fitzpatrick returned eight years later to win the same tournament at the same venue and claim his first major title. The Englishman has 10 wins across the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
Jordan Spieth – Low amateur in 2012
Spieth turned pro a year after finishing low amateur at the Olympic Club. By 2015, he had two majors, five PGA Tour wins, and a FedEx Cup under his belt. He’s now a PGA Championship title away from completing the Career Grand Slam.
Patrick Cantlay – Low amateur in 2011
A hugely talented amateur, Cantlay has grown into one of the PGA Tour’s steadiest performers. A former FedEx Cup champion and Presidents Cup hero, he’s accrued eight PGA Tour wins and been as high as third in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Matt Kuchar – Low amateur in 1998
Kuchar made headlines with a T14 finish as low amateur in 1998. His career has been long and successful, including a Players Championship win, Olympic bronze medal, and more than $50 million in earnings.
Justin Leonard – Low amateur in 1993
The 1993 low amateur went on to win 12 times on the PGA Tour, including the 1997 Open Championship. He was a key figure in the Ryder Cup, most notably at Brookline in 1999.
Phil Mickelson – Low amateur in 1990 & 1991
Mickelson was low amateur in back-to-back years – and went on to become one of the most decorated golfers of all time. Six major titles, 45 PGA Tour wins, and a Hall of Fame career.
Fred Couples – Low amateur in 1979
The first ever recipient of the low amateur medal, Couples became one of the most popular players in golf history. A Masters champion in 1992, and a long-time presence on Tour, he’s now a staple of the senior circuit.
The bottom line
From Hovland to Mickelson, many of the biggest names in the modern game got their first taste of the big stage as the US Open’s low amateur. Now it’s Justin Hastings’ turn.
He’s already shown he can hang with the world’s best, and with a unique background, serious talent, and some impressive early career moments under his belt, the Caymanian could be on a path to greatness.
The medal might not come with a cheque, but if history is anything to go by, it could be worth millions in the long run.
Full list of former US Open low amateurs
Here’s the complete list of US Open low amateur winners since the honor was introduced in 1979.
- 2025: Justin Hastings
- 2024: Neal Shipley
- 2023: Gordon Sargent
- 2022: Travis Vick
- 2021: No amateurs made the cut
- 2020: John Pak
- 2019: Viktor Hovland
- 2018: Luis Gagne and Matt Parziale
- 2017: Scottie Scheffler
- 2016: Jon Rahm
- 2015: Brian Campbell
- 2014: Matt Fitzpatrick
- 2013: Michael Kim
- 2012: Jordan Spieth
- 2011: Patrick Cantlay
- 2010: Russell Henly and Scott Langley
- 2009: Nick Taylor
- 2008: Michael Thompson
- 2007: No amateurs made the cut
- 2006: No amateurs made the cut
- 2005: Matt Every
- 2004: Spencer Levin
- 2003: Trip Kuehne
- 2002: Kevin Warrick
- 2001: Bryce Molder
- 2000: Jeffrey Wilson
- 1999: Hank Kuehne
- 1998: Matt Kuchar
- 1997: No amateurs made the cut
- 1996: Randy Leen
- 1995: No amateurs made the cut
- 1994: No amateurs made the cut
- 1993: Justin Leonard
- 1992: No amateurs made the cut
- 1991: Phil Mickelson
- 1990: Phil Mickelson
- 1989: No amateurs made the cut
- 1988: Billy Mayfair
- 1987: No amateurs made the cut
- 1986: Samuel Randolph
- 1985: Scott Verplank
- 1984: Robert Sigel and Richard Fehr
- 1983: Brad Faxon
- 1982: Nathaniel Crosby
- 1981: Joey Rassett
- 1980: Gary Hallberg
- 1979: Fred Couples
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Justin Hastings was the low amateur at the 2025 US Open
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Justin Hastings made his major debut at the 2025 Masters
