Tour News

R&A, USGA: Amateurs, you may now win money (and donate it to charity)

Published

11 years ago

Oct 27, 2015

Good news for amateur golfers: As of Jan. 1, you can compete in tournaments and take home prize money…as long as you give it to an approved charity, that is.

In what might be called the “Hideki Matsuyama Rule,” the USGA and R&A have added Rule 3-1b to the books, which “enables an amateur golfer to participate in an event where prize money or its equivalent is donated to a recognized charity, provided the approval of the governing body is first obtained in advance by the organizer.”

If you’ll recall, in 2011, following the tsunami in Japan, Hideki Matsuyama wanted to collect the winnings he was entitled to by virtue of his play (but wasn’t allowed to do so by virtue of his status).

“At the time we were not able to accommodate that request, but that prompted our review,” David Rickman, the R&A’s executive director of rules and equipment standards said of the incident.

Thus, four years later, with a revision to the Rules of Amateur Status, we have Rule 3-1b.

Of course, alert as ever for the possibility of corruption or the tainting of amateur golf, Rickman added: “What we have in mind here is, we’re looking for the governing bodies to have control of this process to direct these to charitable causes that have absolutely no connection to the amateur golfers concerned.”

“The rule requires governing-body approval in advance for this to take place. If the money was going to an independent and recognized charitable source, then obviously that approach would be given positive consideration.”

No word on if Sammy Schmitz would be able to win prize money and donate it to his GoFundMe…

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

8 Comments

Pete

Oct 29, 2015 at 5:50 pm

No need to bash Sammy at the end there. Low blow

Reply Report comment
Mat

Oct 28, 2015 at 5:35 pm

I can’t wait for universities to have their students “donate” money back to their school scholarship slush fund…

Reply Report comment
Mark

Oct 28, 2015 at 1:53 pm

This is a great compromise.

Reply Report comment
Philip

Oct 28, 2015 at 1:37 pm

about time – only a few decades behind

Reply Report comment
George

Oct 27, 2015 at 4:12 pm

a donation has been made in your name to the human fund, money for people

Reply Report comment
- DatSliceDoe
  
  Oct 28, 2015 at 4:45 pm
  
  that’s pretty much what this is…
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike

Oct 27, 2015 at 2:49 pm

This is fantastic!

Reply Report comment
Tom

Oct 27, 2015 at 1:47 pm

Long over due decision.

Reply Report comment

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