Evan Beck dominates the US Mid-Amateur and receives an invitation to the Masters tournament

Finally, his name and Evan Beck’s will be on the wall of the USGA Hall of Champions. With a stellar performance this week at Kinloch Golf Club, Beck became the newest United States Mid-Amateur Champion.

Beck, a 34-year-old from Virginia, played brilliantly from start to finish this week, becoming the first stroke play medalist to win the championship since 2008. He finished the title by defeating Bobby 9 and 8. Massa will win his first USGA title in Thursday’s championship match.

“It’s really nice,” he said of winning the USGA title. “I always dreamed of winning one of these.”

Beck came close, but never quite made it to the top of the mountain. He made the 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur championship match, defeating Jordan Spieth en route, before losing to Cameron Peck, and also lost in last year’s U.S. Mid-Am championship match to Stewart Hagestad. But in his home state, Beck was unstoppable.

After sharing medalists with Segundo Oliva Pinto after shooting rounds of 68 and 65, Beck forced his way into the semifinals, winning three of his first four matches on the 18th hole or later. When Beck reached the final four, he left no doubt. He won his semifinal match against Stephen Behr Jr. 5 and 3, then easily defeated Massa in the 36-hole final.

“To get there and fail (twice) is painful,” Beck said. “To be able to survive and prove that you can do it for yourself, more than anything, is amazing.”

With the victory, Beck becomes the first native Virginian to win a USGA title since Lauren Greenlief at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur. The victory moves Beck to 32nd in the world amateur golf rankings and earns him a spot in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. In addition, he will almost certainly receive an invitation to next spring’s Masters.

“You saw me cry like three times,” Beck said. “I’ll probably do more later.”