Who won the 2024 US Amateur? All you need to know

Spanish golfer Jose Luis Ballester won the 2024 US Amateur Championship, concluding with a 2-up victory over Noah Kent on Sunday, August 18. Ballester reached the final after defeating Luis Masaveu, while Kent secured a 2-up victory over Jackson Buchanan in the semifinals.

Ballester's victory marks a historic moment as he became the first Spanish golfer to win the US Amateur and the fourth from Arizona State University to achieve this feat. Adding to the celebration, the Spaniard won the tournament on his birthday. Reflecting on his victory, Ballester expressed his excitement and gratitude for the "opportunity to live the moment."

“I think I’m still not conscious of what just happened today. Super thankful to have the opportunity to live this moment. We have many great Spaniards, many great legends, and being able to add my name into that history, it’s pretty sweet," Ballester said (via Golf Week).

Jose Luis Ballester has had a successful junior career, winning several tournaments. In 2018, he clinched the Campeonato Sub 18 Comunidad Valenciana, followed by another amateur victory at the Campeonato de Castellon in 2019, and then the 2020 Spanish Amateur. Last year, he also won the European Amateur before finally capturing the 2024 US Amateur title.

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Jose Luis Ballester seeks advice from Sergio Garcia ahead of US Amateur finale

After winning his semifinal match against Luis Masaveu, Jose Luis Ballester sought advice from Spanish veteran golfer Sergio Garcia. Speaking about the conversation, Ballester shared that the former Masters winner encouraged him to "continue to be" himself and to remain "patient" throughout the game.

"The most important one was continue to be myself. That was key for today. And the other one was how to deal with the crowd, right? He’s been in that position multiple times, especially on this course, in the Ryder Cup 2016 playing against Phil, one of the best Ryder Cup matches ever. So he told me just stay patient in your game, and the best way to demonstrate to the other fans, it’s with your game," Ballester said (via Golf Week).

In the final of the US Amateur, Ballester won the first hole, taking a 1-up lead. He extended his advantage by winning the first three holes, establishing a strong start. However, Kent secured a win on the fourth hole, reducing Ballester's lead to 2 up.

Ballester maintained his lead throughout the match and was 4 up with six holes remaining. However, Kent mounted a comeback, winning two consecutive holes, tying the next, and then winning another, narrowing Ballester's lead to 1 up.

On the penultimate hole, both players tied, leaving Ballester with a slim 1-up lead heading into the final hole. On the decisive 18th hole, Ballester clinched the win, securing the 2024 US Amateur title with a 2-up victory.