Colt Knost, a name that once resonated across the fairways of the PGA Tour, is back in the headlines—but not for sinking birdie putts or breaking course records. Instead, the 40-year-old former pro and current CBS Golf analyst has set the golf world abuzz by announcing his application to regain amateur status from the United States Golf Association (USGA). The move, revealed on October 15, 2025, has sparked debate from clubhouses to social media timelines, raising questions about what it means to be an amateur in today’s ever-evolving golf landscape.
Knost’s journey to this crossroads is nothing short of storied. In 2007, he joined the ranks of legends like Bobby Jones and Jay Sigel by capturing three USGA titles in a single year: the U.S. Amateur Public Links, the U.S. Amateur, and a team victory in the prestigious Walker Cup. For five weeks that year, Knost held the top spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest young stars. But as is so often the case in golf, the call to turn professional proved irresistible.
By 2009, Knost had earned his PGA Tour card, embarking on a career that would see him notch nine top-10 finishes and amass over $4 million in earnings. His last full season came in 2015-16, and after a missed cut at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open, he quietly stepped away from competitive play. Two years later, he joined CBS as a full-time analyst, bringing his sharp insights and easygoing wit to television audiences and the airwaves of Sirius XM.
But the competitive fire, it seems, never truly dies. On GOLF’s Subpar podcast, Knost shared that his decision to seek amateur reinstatement is driven partly by a desire to qualify for the U.S. Mid-Amateur—an event reserved for players aged 25 and older who aren’t full-time golf professionals. He also harbors dreams of one day captaining a U.S. Walker Cup team, a role typically reserved for esteemed amateurs. “Being an amateur would probably help” his chances, Knost admitted, acknowledging the unique path he’s chosen.
The announcement hasn’t come without its detractors. Critics argue that former pros like Knost, who once played for millions, shouldn’t be allowed to swoop in and take coveted spots in amateur events from lifelong weekend warriors. John Ziegler, a two-time U.S. Mid-Amateur qualifier and host of The Death of Journalism podcast, was blunt on X: “Total bullsh-t. You were a pga tour pro. Now, on a lark you want to take a coveted spot away in a USGA championship from an actual amateur. … You should know better and should be ashamed.”
Yet, history is filled with pros who’ve returned to amateur golf. Gary Nicklaus, son of Jack, did it in 2007. Dillard Pruitt, after a decade on the PGA Tour, regained amateur status and promptly won marquee amateur events. More recently, John Peterson, who once finished fourth at the U.S. Open, also made the switch. In fact, at this year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur, six of the eight quarterfinalists—including champion Brandon Holtz—were former professionals. Clearly, the line between amateur and pro is blurrier than ever.
The USGA, for its part, isn’t surprised by the uptick in applications. According to Thomas Pagel, the association’s chief governance officer, “We’re seeing more and more kids turn professional and give it a go. Therefore we’re seeing more and more applications coming back to us. Once you have success and once you get one of those cards, man, it’s really, really hard to keep it.” The numbers back him up: roughly 800 U.S.-based pros—from tour veterans to club instructors—apply for amateur reinstatement each year, and virtually all are approved.
The process, while straightforward on paper, is more nuanced for high-profile applicants like Knost. Pros must complete a detailed application, pay a $200 fee, and provide information about their professional history, including tournaments played, results, and prize money earned. They also need two references to attest to the accuracy of their submission. “The more somebody puts into an application, the less we have to do research ourselves,” explained Craig Winter, the USGA’s senior director of Rules of Golf and amateur status. “For a player of Knost’s pedigree, the review process is more rigorous. We’re trying to make sure our decisions, especially with that type of a player, are as like as it can be to others.”
One sticking point is the so-called “cooling-off period.” The minimum waiting period for a pro seeking reinstatement is six months from their last professional action—be it a tournament start or a paid lesson. But for decorated tour pros, the wait can stretch into years. “The more success you have, the more that you would be asked to wait from whenever your last breach was,” Winter said. Some have waited as long as eight years. In Knost’s case, it’s been over five years since his last professional start, so his waiting period will likely be on the shorter side—perhaps a year or two more before he can tee it up as an amateur once again.
Despite the controversy, it’s worth noting that, according to Winter, no professional golfer has ever been denied reinstatement by the USGA. “We’ve done some looking and never seen anything to that effect in our museum archives,” he said. Still, the association draws a hard line for players of “national prominence”—think current stars like Scottie Scheffler. “I am very confident that Scottie, should he choose to apply or someone in his situation, he would receive a phone call that would say, ‘Scottie, unfortunately you do fit the national prominence category. And that means you’re not eligible to get your reinstatement back.’”
While the debate rages on, the broader amateur golf community continues to thrive—especially in regions like Northern California, where tradition and innovation go hand in hand. As Pete Wlodkowski, founder of AmateurGolf.com, recently shared on a podcast, “There was a tournament almost every week. You could play city championships, club invitationals, you name it—and the season never really ended.” The Northern California Golf Association and its southern counterpart, the SCGA, each boast hundreds of thousands of members, connecting local events into a robust competitive ecosystem.
Amateur golf’s appeal lies in its blend of old-school camaraderie and modern convenience. From hand-lettered scoreboards to live digital scoring, the spirit of community remains strong. Events like the Two-Man Links Championship Series, played at iconic venues such as Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines, offer high-level competition with a social twist. For many, it’s not about money or fame, but about the love of the game and the thrill of competition.
As Knost awaits the USGA’s decision, his story is a reminder of golf’s unique ability to bridge eras and blur boundaries. Whether you’re a former pro eyeing a comeback, a weekend warrior chasing club glory, or a newcomer inspired by the legends of the past, the amateur game offers a place for everyone. The fairways may change, but the passion endures—one swing, one dream, one challenge at a time.
