This year’s Myrtle Beach World Amateur drew a field of nearly 3,000.
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As another year in golf draws to a close, let’s review the high-water marks.
Scottie Scheffler won seven tournaments and Player of the Year awards, Xander Schauffele claimed two major titles and Nelly Korda regained the number one ranking in the women’s game. But none of those stars matched the feat of Upendra Modak, a double-digit handicapper from Charlotte, NC, who took first place in golf’s biggest event of 2024.
By “biggest,” we mean the event with the biggest field: 2,971. That’s how many competitors Modak bested in August to capture the crown at the 41st annual World Amateur Handicap Championships in Myrtle Beach.
“My main goal was not to blow the round,” Modak said after shooting a net 68 (81 gross) in the final round of the multi-day event. “This has been something that has been going on for all these years.”
It sounds related, and that’s the point.
Since its birth in 1983, World Amator has earned a legitimate reputation as the People’s Open for everyday players. Elite ability is not required. Only one registered handicap is, the maximum allowed is 36.4 for men and 40.4 for women. This year’s participation was emblematic of inclusivity: it drew players from more than 25 countries and all 50 of the United States.
The competition took place, as always, on more than 50 courses on the Grand Strand, including headline features like Caledonia, Tidewater and the Love, Norman and Fazio courses at the Barefoot Resort. In a format designed to create a level playing field, World Amator tiers players by gender, age and handicap. Given the size of the field, that’s a lot of flights: 70 in all, with handicap ranges as tight as half a stroke, further ensuring fair competition.
After 72 holes of stroke play, the top finishers from each flight advance to a championship round at Grand Dunes Resort Club (there is also a gross division, the winner of which receives an invitation to the championship round as well). This year, Modak captured the trophy by relying, he said, on “short game, short game, short game,” which was good enough to beat Portugal’s Ryan Ferreira by one stroke. But he was not the only winner. In World Amateur, prizes are paid to the top 5 finishers in each flight. There are also daily contest prizes, totaling more than $30,000, distributed by random drawing. And all participants receive a gift bag valued at nearly $300, along with overnight access — plus one guest — to what is billed as the world’s largest 19th hole, with free food, open bar and music live.
It’s hard to walk away empty-handed.
Modak knows. This was his 9th appearance at the Amateur World and he said he will be back to defend his crown next year. recording it is already open for the year 2025.
