Texas Tech University Athletics
Calum Scott wins Silver Medal at The 152nd Open
July 21, 2024 | Men's Golf
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech's Calum Scott earned one of the most prestigious honors amateur golf has to offer on Sunday, the Silver Medal at The Open. Scott, who will be a senior this fall, bested 11 other amateurs at The 152nd Open, finishing 8-over-par, at Scotland's Royal Troon Golf Club to take home the honor given annually to low amateur at the major championship event.
Scott joined illustrious company, including Tiger Woods (1996), Rory McIlroy (2007) and a challenger for this year's Claret Jug, Justin Rose (1998), as previous Silver Medal winners. The Silver Medal dates back to 1949.
As a Nairn, Scotland native, Scott enjoyed an experience of a lifetime in front of friends and family, as well as the familiarity of having Texas Tech associate head coach James Vargas assisting him as his caddie.
"I could hear all my friends and family and people I know through golf out there," Scott said after his final round. "The support has been brilliant."
Following a solid junior campaign at Texas Tech, leading the Red Raiders in stroke play average (71.9), rounds in the 60s (14) and Top 10 finishes (4), Scott rode the momentum into the off-season. In June, Scott won the Open Amateur Series to qualify to compete at The Open.Â
The best-performing player across a sequence of three elite amateur championships in Europe – The St Andrews Links Trophy, The Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship  – is rewarded with an exemption into The Open. By earning the most World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points across those three events, Scott earned the invitation to Royal Troon.
Scott was the wire-to-wire leader, en route to the Silver Medal, among the 12 amateurs competing at Royal Troon. He led off Thursday's first round by carding an even-par 71, a round that was capped by a birdie on hole No. 18. He followed with a second-round 4-over 75 to make the 36-hole cut at 4-over, clearing the cut line by two strokes. Scott was one of four amateurs of the 12 that started able to advance into weekend play as he was joined by Jacob Skov Olesen, Tommy Morrison and Luis Masaveu.
While already clearing the cut line, Scott's best round was yet to come as he carded a 1-under 70 in the third round that pushed him inside the Top 30. He was just one of 21 in the entire field, professional or amateur, to post an under-par score during what was a stereotypical poor weather round for an Open tournament. Scott fell 18 places on the overall leaderboard on Sunday to finish tied for 43rd overall, posting a 5-over 76, having suffered a 5-over on the back nine following an even-par 36 on the front.
On his 72nd hole, he finished in front of the patrons and a national television audience with a par following a memorable walk down 18 knowing the Silver Medal was secured.
"I got pretty emotional," Scott said about his walk on 18. "My caddie [Texas Tech associate HC J. Vargas] told me to soak it in. And that's exactly what I did."Â
Scott dismissed the notion of turning professional after The Open and will return for his senior season at Texas Tech.
"The opportunities that college has with PGA TOUR U, I just think it's a no-brainer to go back and try to compete for that PGA TOUR card."
Texas Tech classes resume on Aug. 22 and the fall season will begin shortly thereafter.
2024 Calum Scott Highlights
- All-Big 12 team
- NCAA D-I PING All-Region
- NCAA D-I PING HM All-America
- T-11th at NCAA Championship
- Arnold Palmer Cup International Team member
- Winner of The Open Amateur Series
- Low Amateur at The Open Championship
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Congratulations Calum Scott, our leading amateur and winner of the Silver Medal. pic.twitter.com/FroKtBiPzF
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2024
What a week for Calum Scott! Made us proud!#WreckEm | @TheOpen pic.twitter.com/xWoXiMRkwP
— Texas Tech Men's Golf (@TexasTechMGolf) July 21, 2024
Take a bow, Calum Scott ???? pic.twitter.com/O9HrE7j9b7
— The R&A (@RandA) July 21, 2024
