Cameron Champ
Cameron Champ (born June 15, 1995) is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour, distinguished by his exceptional driving distance and three tournament victories.[1][2] Champ was introduced to golf at age two by his grandfather Mack, a Vietnam veteran who emphasized perseverance, and grew up honing his skills at a local par-3 course in Sacramento, California, where he was born and raised.[3][1] A First Tee alumnus, he developed his game through affordable access to facilities before attending Texas A&M University, where he competed collegiately, and turning professional in 2017.[3][1] His PGA Tour successes include winning the Sanderson Farms Championship in the 2018–19 season, the Safeway Open in 2019–20, and the 3M Open in 2020–21, establishing him as a long-hitter capable of averaging over 320 yards off the tee in multiple seasons.[1][1] Champ has also participated in team events like the Walker Cup and maintains a foundation promoting STEM education and golf access for underserved youth, reflecting his roots in modest beginnings.[1][3]
Early life and education
Early life and family background
Cameron Champ was born on June 15, 1995, in Sacramento, California, to parents Jeff and Lisa Champ.[4][5] He grew up in a biracial household, with his father Jeff being biracial—descended from African-American and white ancestry—and his mother Lisa being white.[6][7] The family operated a trophy business in Sacramento, the proceeds from which supported competitive youth golf activities for Champ and his three siblings.[6][4] Champ's paternal grandfather, Mack Ray Champ, born on June 1, 1941, in Columbus, Texas, played a pivotal role in introducing him to golf during his early years.[8][9] Mack attended segregated schools amid the era of Jim Crow laws, with his forebears working as sharecroppers and farmers in rural Texas.[8][10] This generational legacy of overcoming racial barriers in a predominantly white sport has informed Champ's perspective, as he has noted the historical exclusion faced by his grandfather, who passed away in October 2019.[11][12]High school and amateur achievements
Champ demonstrated early promise in junior golf while attending high school in Sacramento, California, focusing primarily on competitive amateur events rather than school team play. As a junior golfer, he won a local tournament in San Francisco at age 5 and a larger event at age 8, showcasing his burgeoning length and talent off the tee.[13] In 2012, Champ was selected for the United States Junior Ryder Cup team, contributing to their victory over Europe. That year, he earned First-Team Rolex Junior All-American honors from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA).[14][15] He repeated as an AJGA Rolex Junior All-American in 2013.[14] During his senior year of high school in 2013, Champ, ranked No. 6 among juniors nationally by Golfweek, won the Roseville City Championship by four strokes over Juan Gonzalez.[16] These accomplishments, including seeking tournament funding through organizations like the Morton Golf Foundation as a high school junior, positioned him as a top recruit for Texas A&M University.[17]College career at Texas A&M
Champ competed for the Texas A&M Aggies men's golf team, posting a scoring average of 71.50 across 34 rounds during his primary competitive season.[18] He secured one individual tournament victory and five top-five finishes, culminating in a strong late-season performance.[18] In September 2016, Champ won the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational at the Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois, claiming the individual title by three strokes at five under par against a strong collegiate field.[19] This marked his lone college win and highlighted his first fully healthy season, during which he also recorded six additional top-10 finishes. Champ earned All-America honors in 2017 after his standout junior campaign and was selected as a two-time All-Region performer.[20] He advanced to the finals of the Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award, recognizing his contributions to the No. 1-ranked Aggies program.[21] Following a limited fall 2017 schedule with one event appearance, Champ forwent his senior year to turn professional in November 2017.[22]Amateur highlights
2017 U.S. Open performance
Champ, a senior at Texas A&M University, qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin as one of 10 amateurs in the field of 156 players.[23] On June 15, coinciding with his 22nd birthday, he opened with a 2-under-par 70, highlighted by an average driving distance of 349.4 yards, the longest in the field. In the second round on June 16, Champ shot a 3-under 69, reaching 5-under for the tournament and tying for eighth place entering the weekend, two shots off the lead held by Brian Harman.[24] He became one of only two amateurs to make the cut, alongside Scottie Scheffler.[25] Champ's momentum faded over the weekend, as he posted a 1-over 73 in the third round and a 4-over 76 in the final round, closing at even-par 288.[26] This total secured a tie for 32nd place, the second-best finish among amateurs behind Scheffler's tie for 27th.[25] As an amateur, he earned no prize money despite the strong showing, which showcased his power off the tee but exposed inconsistencies in approach play and putting under major-championship pressure.[23] The performance elevated his profile, drawing attention from scouts and contributing to his decision to turn professional shortly thereafter.Other notable amateur events
In July 2017, Champ won the 114th Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas, posting a 54-hole total of 9-under-par 201 to secure a three-stroke victory over runners-up Collin Morikawa and Stoney Crouch.[27][28] The win, one of the premier mid-amateur invitational events in the United States, highlighted Champ's power off the tee and improved putting, elevating his world amateur ranking into the top five.[23] Later that month, Champ finished as runner-up at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington, where he competed against a strong field including future professionals.[23] His performance underscored a strong summer circuit, though he fell short of another title. Champ represented the United States in the 2017 Walker Cup at Los Angeles Country Club, posting a 1-2-1 record across four matches as the U.S. team defeated Great Britain and Ireland 19-7.[29] Paired with Will Zalatoris in one session, his contributions helped secure the biennial team's dominant victory, marking a capstone to his amateur career before turning professional.[23]Professional career
Transition to professional golf
Cameron Champ decided to forgo his remaining two semesters at Texas A&M University and turn professional in November 2017, following a strong amateur performance at the 2017 U.S. Open where he tied for 32nd place.[23][30] His decision was influenced by his emerging reputation as one of the longest drivers in college golf, averaging over 320 yards off the tee, which positioned him to compete effectively in professional circuits.[30] Shortly after announcing his pro status on November 6, 2017, Champ received a sponsor exemption to play the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, marking one of his initial professional outings.[31] To secure playing opportunities, Champ entered the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in late 2017. He tied for 11th in the first stage, advancing to the finals held December 7–10 at TPC Sawgrass, where he finished tied for 16th, earning conditional status on the Web.com Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) for the 2018 season.[31] This result provided him with a platform to compete full-time professionally, supplemented by sponsor exemptions into select PGA Tour events, such as the 2018 Genesis Open via the Charlie Sifford Memorial Exemption.[21] During his 2018 Web.com Tour rookie season, Champ demonstrated rapid adaptation to professional competition, culminating in his first professional victory at the Utah Championship on July 15, defeating Bronson Burgoon by three strokes with a final-round 64.[32] This win, powered by his record-setting driving distance—including a 391-yard average off the tee—propelled him up the points list and facilitated access to PGA Tour events later that year, setting the stage for full-time elevation to the PGA Tour in 2019.[33]Early PGA Tour successes (2018–2021)
Champ secured his PGA Tour card through strong performances on the Korn Ferry Tour and sponsor exemptions, making his debut in early 2018.[34] In his ninth career start, he captured his maiden PGA Tour title at the Sanderson Farms Championship on October 28, 2018, finishing at 21-under par with a final-round 68 to win by four strokes over Corey Conners.[35] This victory, achieved through superior ball-striking and averaging over 320 yards off the tee, propelled him to full exempt status for the remainder of the 2018-19 season and highlighted his potential as a power player.[35] Despite inconsistencies in early 2019, including missed cuts and struggles with short-game precision, Champ rebounded to win the Safeway Open on September 29, 2019, his second career title.[36] He closed with a bogey on the 17th but drained a 3-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole for a one-stroke victory over Adam Hadwin, totaling 19-under par across rounds of 67-68-67-69.[36] The win, dedicated to his ailing grandfather, underscored his resilience amid putting woes that had plagued the year, where he ranked outside the top 150 in strokes gained putting.[36] In 2020, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Champ maintained competitive form with multiple top-20 finishes, including a T5 at the Memorial Tournament, bolstering his driving dominance—he led the Tour in driving distance at 316.4 yards.[37] He carried momentum into 2021, securing his third victory at the 3M Open on July 25, overcoming dehydration in hot conditions with a final-round 66 to finish at 15-under par, two strokes ahead of runners-up.[38] This performance, fueled by improved putting and eight birdies against three bogeys, elevated him to a career-high world ranking of 45th and affirmed his status among the Tour's longest hitters.[38]PGA Tour wins
Cameron Champ has recorded three PGA Tour victories, with his debut professional win coming in his ninth career start and subsequent triumphs showcasing his power off the tee amid varying field strengths.[35][39] His first victory occurred at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship, held October 22–28 at the Country Club of Jackson in Jackson, Mississippi. Champ closed with a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 21-under-par 267, securing a four-stroke margin over Corey Conners. The win, in a tournament featuring a limited field due to its scheduling opposite the WGC-HSBC Champions, earned him $1,044,000 and propelled him to 52nd in the Official World Golf Ranking.[35][39] Champ claimed his second title at the 2019 Safeway Open, contested September 23–29 at Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) in Napa, California. He birdied the par-5 18th hole in the final round for a one-stroke victory over Adam Hadwin, totaling 17-under-par 271 after rounds of 67-68-67-69. This full-field event marked his first win against top competition, highlighted by leading the field in driving distance at 337.1 yards, and was dedicated to his grandfather battling cancer; it awarded $1,206,000.[40][41] His third and most recent PGA Tour win came at the 2021 3M Open, played July 19–25 at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota (par 71). Champ posted a final-round 5-under-par 66 despite dehydration challenges, finishing at 15-under-par 269 for a two-stroke edge over Tom Hoge, Louis Oosthuizen, and Jhonattan Vegas. The victory, buoyed by strong putting after entering the week ranked 206th in strokes gained: putting, netted $1,314,000 and elevated him into the top 65 of the Official World Golf Ranking.[42][43]| Tournament | Date | Location | Winning Score | Margin | Purse Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanderson Farms Championship | Oct 22–28, 2018 | Jackson, MS | 267 (−21, par 72) | 4 strokes | $1,044,000 |
| Safeway Open | Sep 23–29, 2019 | Napa, CA | 271 (−17, par 72) | 1 stroke | $1,206,000 |
| 3M Open | Jul 19–25, 2021 | Blaine, MN | 269 (−15, par 71) | 2 strokes | $1,314,000 |