What Do the Stars Mean on a Golf Leaderboard?

Ever glance at a professional golf leaderboard, like the one for the Masters, and see a little star or asterisk next to a player's name? That small symbol actually tells a big story, separating a select few golfers from the rest of the field. This article explains precisely what that star means, why it’s there, and the incredible achievement it represents for the player beside it.

The Direct Answer: The Star Means the Player is an Amateur

Plain and simple, a star (or an asterisk, `*`) on a golf leaderboard signifies that the player is an amateur. In golf, a player is classified as either a professional or an amateur. Professionals play for prize money, receive compensation for endorsements, and make their living from the sport. Amateurs, by definition, do not.

So, when you see that star next to a name at the U.S. Open or another major tournament, it means that player is competing against the best in the world purely for the love of the game, the challenge, and the honor - not for a paycheck. They are often college stars, mid-amateurs, or top-ranked junior players who have earned a highly coveted spot in a professional field.

The Rules Behind Amateur Status

The distinction between amateur and professional is not just a casual title, it's a formal status governed by the Rules of Golf, as written and maintained by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A in St Andrews. The core principle revolves around money.

Under the Rules of Amateur Status, an amateur golfer cannot:

• Play for prize money in a competition that exceeds the established limit set by the governing bodies (currently $1,000 in the U.S.).
• Accept payment for giving golf instruction.
• Work as a club or touring professional.

This is the primary reason for marking them on the leaderboard. Since they are ineligible to win any of the official tournament prize funds, the scoreboard needs a way to differentiate them. It manages expectations for viewers and clarifies who is competing for the multi-million dollar purse and who is not.

Why Amateurs Appear in Professional Tournaments

Securing a spot in a professional major championship is one of the greatest accomplishments an amateur golfer can achieve. It's proof that their game is sharp enough to stand alongside the biggest names in the sport. These spots aren't given away lightly, they are earned through exceptional performance in major amateur competitions.

Here’s are common tournaments where you'll see stars on the leaderboard:

1. The Masters Tournament

Augusta National Golf Club has a long tradition of inviting top amateurs to compete. The tournament was co-founded by Bobby Jones, perhaps the most famous amateur of all time. Fields at The Masters typically include the winners and sometimes runners-up of events like:

• The U.S. Amateur
• The Amateur Championship (British Amateur)
• The U.S. Mid-Amateur
• The Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
• The Latin America Amateur Championship
• The NCAA Division I Individual Champion

2. The U.S. Open

Run by the USGA, the U.S. Open truly lives up to its name by being "open" to both professionals and amateurs. Amateurs can earn a spot in two ways: by winning a major amateur championship that grants an exemption (like the U.S. Amateur winner) or by fighting their way through Local and Final Qualifying stages, where thousands of entrants compete for just a handful of spots.

3. The Open Championship

Similar to the U.S. Open, The R&A's Open Championship offers exemptions to winners of elite amateur events, including The Amateur Championship and U.S. Amateur. Amateurs can also play their way into the field through a rigorous multi-stage qualifying process.

The PGA Championship is the only men's major that consists of an all-professional field. However, other regular PGA TOUR events occasionally offer sponsor exemptions to standout amateurs, giving them a chance to test their skills against tour veterans.

The “Low Amateur” Title: A Tournament Within the Tournament

For the amateurs playing in a major, there's a special competition happening simultaneously: the race for Low Amateur. This honor is given to the amateur who has the lowest score at the end of the tournament, provided they make the 36-hole cut.

This is a highly prestigious title. At The Masters, the Low Amateur is recognized in the final awards ceremony in Butler Cabin alongside the tournament's champion. It signifies an outstanding performance, as simply making the cut as an amateur is a massive achievement. Recent examples, like Neal Shipley winning Low Amateur honors at both the 2024 Masters and U.S. Open, capture the golf world's attention and often signal the arrival of a future star.

What Happens to the Prize Money if an Amateur Finishes High?

This is a common question and a fascinating aspect of the rules. What if an amateur golfer shocks the world and finishes in the Top 10?

They don't receive the prize money. Instead, the money they would have earned is redistributed among the professional players who made the cut. For example, if an amateur finishes tied for fifth and the prize money for that spot is $500,000, they walk away with a trophy, not a check. That $500,000 is then skipped, and the professional who finished right behind them receives the prize money for the next paid position. Essentially, the amateur is removed from the prize money calculation, and everyone below them moves up one spot in the payout list.

A great example came from the 2023 Masters when Texas A&M student Sam Bennett, playing as an amateur, electrified the golf world by finishing tied for 16th place. The prize money for that position was over $270,000. Bennett received none of it, but he earned immense respect, a place in Masters lore, and the coveted Silver Cup for being the Low Amateur.

Famous Stories: The Lasting Impact of an Amateur Star

The legacy of amateurs in professional golf is rich with incredible stories that have shaped the game. The star on the leaderboard is a link to this history.

• Bobby Jones: The greatest to ever play as an amateur, Jones never turned professional. In 1930, he won the "Grand Slam" of his era (The Open Championship, The Amateur Championship, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Amateur) and then retired from competitive golf at age 28 to co-found Augusta National.
• Jack Nicklaus: Before becoming the Golden Bear, with 18 major championship victories, Nicklaus was a phenom. In the 1960 U.S. Open, a 20-year-old amateur Nicklaus finished second to Arnold Palmer, just two shots back. His performance announced his arrival as a force to be reckoned with.
• Tiger Woods: While he didn't make a huge splash as an amateur in the majors, Tiger's dominance in amateur golf itself is legendary. Winning three consecutive U.S. Amateur titles from 1994-1996 was an unprecedented feat that foreshadowed his professional career.

Today, the star on the leaderboard carries that same weight. It represents a player at a crossroads, standing on the biggest stage with endless potential. They are our glimpse into the future of golf - the next Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy might just have a star next to their name this year.

Final Thoughts

In short, the star on a golf leaderboard is a symbol of amateur status, marking a player who is competing not for money but for honor and experience. It distinguishes them from the professional field and highlights their incredible achievement in reaching golf's biggest stage.

The world of golf has its own language, and sometimes small details carry a lot of meaning. When you have questions about the nuances of the game, like subtle rules, course strategy, or tricky on-course situations, it's nice to have an expert opinion. That’s why we built Caddie AI. Our app is designed to give you instant, easy-to-understand answers so you can play smarter and feel more confident, whether you're trying to save a par or just understand the broadcast.