Colt Knost retired from professional golf in 2020. But, 5 years later, he is back in the golfing scene, arousing drama and debate among fans and analysts alike. That comes from his decision to return to the amateur circuit. While he shared public complaints about the mid-am events as a reason for his reinstatement, the timing of this decision has compelled golf insiders to believe this is a PR stunt more than anything.

The retired pro played in the professional circuit for around 12 years, with his last appearance coming in 2020. With 5 years already down the line, Knost will likely only have to wait another year or two before regaining amateur status. But Brendan Porath, from the Fried Egg Golf podcast, believes Knost’s motivation for the application was to create buzz and hype, clearly highlighted in the reel-ready media clip. Mentioning the Subpar podcast, where Knost revealed his desire for USGA reinstatement, Porath remarked on the podcast.

“I think this move seems dubious, but it was, for me, a play for attention and engagement on the podcast, which I’m not unfamiliar with either. Sponsored by some off-brand Zen thing, cut for social and sharing, and it’s worked, and everybody’s hooting and hollering about it.”

This sentiment became even clearer when Knost later listed Walker Cup captaincy as one of his reasons to return to the USGA.

For a golfer who has had his day in professional, paid golf, amassing over $5 million, trading away limited USGA spots to them can affect the circuit’s perceived fairness. It can raise questions on the integrity of the circuit, undermining the spirit of amateur golf. People might believe the USGA favors former pros over lifelong amateurs. Moreover, it also takes opportunities away from amateurs in one of the USGA’s most prestigious events, the Walker Cup.

Needless to say, Knost’s decision to regain amateur status, along with his Walker Cup statements, will spark heated discussions and an agitated outcry from the golfing world. It already has fans and analysts reeling, debating over the pro-to-am bridge and, most importantly, Colt Knost.

“I would think making him the Walker Cup captain, not just reinstating him and then making him the Walker Cup captain, would make even more people furious. Like, it’s so plainly and nakedly doing this to become Walker Cup captain. Choices have consequences. And he made $5 million, right? And he was a good pro. He was a bona fide tour pro for 12 years,” Porath argued.

Co-host Andy Johnson agreed with Porath. He glazed over what being a pro golfer might mean. The USGA defines a pro golfer as someone who earns money from golf, more or less. But that doesn’t account for all the nuance, marking podcasters as pro golfers. With Knost currently active in the golf scene as an analyst, a commentator, and a golf content creator, the lines get blurred. This can add further tension to the USGA’s rules for Knost’s amateur reinstatement.

While the pro-to-am transformation continues to make headlines and succeed in the alleged PR stunt, Knost will serve an approximate 1.5-year waiting period. But what exactly is the waiting period for? Let’s take a look at how the pro-to-am transition works.

How do pro golfers regain amateur status?

This is not the first time a pro golfer has decided to regain amateur status. However, Knost’s decision has sparked more discussions than ever before in online forums. That has also brought up questions like how a golfing pro regains amateur status.

To apply for amateur status, pro golfers need to submit a detailed application to their national governing body. That includes personal details, professional history, and reasons for reinstatement. Then comes the essential waiting period, which lasts at least 6 months and can extend based on different factors. Golfers must strictly adhere to the amateur regulations and refrain from accepting any form of compensation for golf. The application is reviewed and approved. Can it be rejected? Technically, it can be; however, there has never been such an instance.

While the process remains the same for every pro golfer, the nuances make the decision complicated for the USGA. The amount a golfer earned during their professional career can influence the waiting period for reinstatement. The professional impact of a golfer also needs to be reviewed. However, clearly, the blame for the decision turns to the USGA for public perception and fairness.

Strong reasons for the reinstatement might soften the blow. However, for Colt Knost, that doesn’t seem to be the case. “I have applied to get my amateur status back,” Knost announced on Subpar. “All this hate towards the subject going on in our social media is enough. I’m not saying I’m going to win, but I just think it would be some great conversation if I could make my way into the Mid-Am. It’s just one event, and it’s solely because of all the complaining.”

His Walker Cup intentions, which he later revealed, however, made this decision look far murkier. As Porath and Johnson argued on the Fried Egg Golf podcast, at this moment, Colt Knost’s reinstatement decision looks like rage-baiting over anything.