Luke Clanton Turns Pro, Sacrifices U.S. Open Spot in Bold Career Move
A new wave of talent is making headlines in the golfing world, and leading that charge is 21-year-old Luke Clanton from Florida State University. As one of the top amateur players globally, Clanton’s rise has been closely followed by fans and experts alike. Now, he’s taken a major step in his career by turning professional—an exciting but controversial move that has seen him forgo a spot at the upcoming 2025 U.S. Open.
Clanton is making his professional debut at the RBC Canadian Open this week, where he’s paired with Rory McIlroy for the opening rounds. However, turning pro has come at a price: it meant giving up an automatic invitation to the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club (June 11–15), a spot he had earned by winning the 2024 Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s top-ranked amateur.
Currently ranked No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, Clanton’s amateur record speaks volumes about his potential. His breakout began at the 2024 U.S. Open, where he impressively tied for 41st. He followed that up with top-10 finishes at both the Rocket Mortgage Classic and the John Deere Classic. His last amateur appearance was at the Valspar Championship, and feeling ready for the next level, Clanton decided the time was right to turn professional.
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In a press conference earlier this week, Clanton shared his excitement about beginning his professional journey, while also acknowledging the difficulty of giving up the chance to play at Oakmont. Speaking with Jason Sobel on SiriusXM Radio, he said, “I want to compete… It would have been amazing to play Oakmont and I had a chance to get there and I just didn’t do it… But again it’s okay. I’ll be in the U.S. Open hopefully in the future. I wanna compete against the best.”
This isn’t the first time Clanton has missed out on a major opportunity. Earlier this year, he was surprisingly left out of the 2025 Masters Tournament—a decision that drew criticism from both fans and golf analysts. Despite being the world’s top amateur and holding the prestigious McCormack Medal, Augusta National did not grant him a special exemption. Renowned journalist Dan Rapaport voiced his confusion, noting that the tournament has traditionally extended invitations to outstanding amateurs, and Clanton clearly fit the profile.
Even with his impressive résumé, including a No. 93 position in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) during his amateur stint, Clanton was overlooked. Speaking about the situation, he said he would have “freaking loved an invite,” but took the high road, acknowledging that being considered for the event was itself an honor. His mature outlook reflects both humility and confidence in what lies ahead.
Other Notable Absences at the 2025 U.S. Open
Clanton won’t be the only notable absence at Oakmont. Max Homa, a familiar face at major championships, failed to qualify after a heartbreaking finish during the June 2 U.S. Open qualifier, commonly known as “Golf’s Longest Day.” Homa needed a simple two-putt birdie from 25 feet but three-putted and lost in a playoff to Cameron Young. He may still secure a place if his OWGR ranking climbs into the top 60 after the RBC Canadian Open, but that window is rapidly closing.
Rickie Fowler also came up short in Columbus, Ohio, shooting rounds of 70 and 69 before being eliminated in a playoff for the final spot. It’s his second missed major of the year, having also failed to qualify for the Masters.
Sergio Garcia, a veteran of the U.S. Open since 1999, didn’t make the cut this year either. While there’s a chance he could receive a special exemption, nothing has been confirmed. Other players who failed to qualify include Padraig Harrington, a three-time major winner, and Zach Johnson, the former Masters and Open Champion who last played the U.S. Open in 2021.
These developments show how competitive and unforgiving the path to golf’s biggest stages can be—even for seasoned players. As for Luke Clanton, while he won’t be at Oakmont this year, his professional journey is just beginning, and many believe it’s only a matter of time before he returns to the majors—this time, as a pro.