James Piot proves doubters wrong by winning the U.S. Amateur

James Piot doesn’t look the part of an intimidating golfer, but he showed everyone who ever doubted him they were wrong on Sunday at Oakmont.

James Piot has always been the underdog.

He was an underdog coming out of Detroit Catholic Central high school, when he wasn’t recruited by the big golf programs and instead followed his older brother to Michigan State. At No. 86, he was the lowest-ranked player to make the semi-finals of the 121st U.S. Amateur. And, in Sunday’s final at Oakmont, he was the underdog to the long-hitting Austin Greaser, especially when Greaser went 3-up with just nine holes to play.

But, if Piot has proven anything, it’s his ability to rise above expectations. When he enrolled at Michigan State in 2017, his coach told him he had the ability to be Big Ten Freshman of the Year; Piot, though, had his sights set even higher. He wanted to be an All-American, a feat the 22-year-old finally achieved this year as a fifth-year senior.

When Greaser took a commanding lead in their championship match, Piot responded by winning four holes in a row and five out of six to take a 2-up lead. He clinched the 2 & 1 victory on the 35th hole after making a long par putt and watching as Greaser’s shorter par attempt slipped past the hole.

Piot has developed a style all of his own

At 5-foot-9 and barely 150 pounds, Piot doesn’t fit the mold of the modern golfer in a game that’s becoming increasingly reliant on power and distance. He instead plays much like his idol, Jordan Spieth, relying more on accuracy, touch, and guile. It’s a style that served him well in college: he set a Michigan State record for scoring average this season and was named an All-Big Ten First Team selection.

And it worked at Oakmont, possibly the toughest test of golf in the country. He’s always believed in himself, but even he was surprised he was able to get it done. “I still don’t believe I’m holding this trophy right now. I still think I’m dreaming. It’s definitely something crazy,” he told NBC, the gold-plated Havemeyer Trophy in his arms. “I thought I had the ability to do it one day. But to actually do it is the greatest thing ever.”

The U.S. Amateur is the oldest golf tournament contested in the United States, along with the U.S. Open, dating back to 1895. Golf legends such as Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods have called the trophy their own. Piot is the first champion from Michigan. He’ll receive invitations to the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship next year.

All those golf recruiters who passed him by? They can watch him competing at Augusta National in the spring.