Over the last decade, many amateur golf followers have seen former professionals dominating their amateur counterparts. Whether it was the case of Name, Image, and Likeness, or increasing competition levels, the USGA was reinstating former pros. But the 2025 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship became the catalyst for their frustrations when six of the eight quarterfinalists were former professionals.

For the upcoming 2026 U.S. Mid-Am, the defending champion is yet another reinstated pro, Brandon Holtz. Now, while the USGA has kept many such applications on hold as they improve their processes, as they did with Colt Knost earlier this week, other former pros continue to weigh heavily on them. The most recent case was that of former PGA Tour Pro Mike Sposa.

The 57-year-old reinstated amateur won the 2026 US Senior Amateur Thursday. He lifted the Frederick L. Dold Trophy after defeating Todd White 3 and 2 in the final at Baltimore Country Club’s East Course. During the event, Sposa had quite an outstanding performance over White.

In the championship match, Sposa trailed after White’s opening birdie but squared it with a par on the difficult second hole, then won holes 3, 5, 6, and 7 with birdies to surge 4-up through seven, held off White’s wins on 9 and 11, and clinched the title by winning the par-5 14th with a par and closing out two holes later. 

“Todd is such a steady player,” Sposa said after the win. “He has a great mental game, and his short game is really second to none, so to come out ahead is — I’m lucky, honestly.”

With the win, he earned a spot in the 2027 U.S. Senior Open Championship at Oak Tree National in Edmond, Oklahoma. And he is not wasting time either. Immediately after the 57-year-old got his hands on the trophy, he flew to Lahinch, Ireland, for the 2026 Walker Cup, which will begin on Saturday. This is probably because he knows he may have some tests coming ahead. And that is the very reason for the golf fans’ frustrations.

Sposa has extensive professional experience, having competed in 174 PGA Tour events. He was on the winning side of the 1991 Walker Cup. Not to mention, he made a hole-in-one on the famous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale in 2002, becoming just the 12th golfer to accomplish that at the Phoenix Open. He also has a win on the Korn Ferry Tour. While those accomplishments are decent for a pro golfer, the fact remains that Sposa is competing in the amateur league.

The U.S. Senior Amateur, of course, is strictly an amateur championship. It is a USGA national title open only to male amateur golfers aged 55 or older. Professionals are not eligible. Sposa could compete only because he had previously applied for and received reinstatement of his amateur status from the USGA after his professional career. Meanwhile, the ongoing debate has attracted others to follow the same path.

The USGA puts Colt Knost on hold

The USGA earlier this week denied former PGA Tour player and current CBS golf analyst Colt Knost reinstatement to amateur status, meaning he cannot compete in events such as the U.S. Amateur or U.S. Senior Amateur. Knost, who had a successful amateur career before turning professional, sought to return to amateur golf after stepping away from professional competition. 

However, the USGA rejected his application under its current reinstatement rules. Since then, a USGA spokesperson shared a statement about the subject in a conversation with Golf Digest. 

“The USGA is currently reviewing its amateur status reinstatement guidelines and, as part of that process, has temporarily paused the processing of a select number of reinstatement applications.

“The review is focused on the role and purpose of reinstatement and waiting periods, including how those elements work together and their impact on the amateur game. We believe it is important to take a thoughtful look at the current framework before determining whether any changes are appropriate.”

After Sposa’s win, fans were quick to express their opinion. 

Fans think USGA’s reinstatement rules are becoming a joke

While the USGA probably aimed at increasing the competition level in amateur golf by bringing back former pros, the reality couldn’t be more different. Fans’ frustrations rise from how former pro players, obviously, dominate the amateurs who don’t have as much exposure to the game’s best. Also, this hinders the spirit of the game they have long watched and loved.

“This is getting ridiculous 😂,” one user commented. “Next thing you know Tiger Woods is gonna enter the Senior Am, and @ColtKnost will be like ‘well technically he qualifies.’”

Another commented, “I’m sorry, if you’ve played 174 PGA Tour Events, you belong in the Champions Tour, not an Amateur event.”

Someone else chimed in, “An amateur who has played in 174 PGA Tour events that’s truly amazing! 👏”

“He shouldn’t even [have] been in the tournament after 174 PGA events,” a user posted. 

The next user wasn’t having it either, writing, “F***ing ridiculous pros should never go back.”

With that said, it appears people weren’t happy about Mike Sposa competing in the tournament. And his win has only made things worse. Meanwhile, the USGA will be looking into how it can improve and justify its current processes.