Won the Georgia Cup
Michigan State golfer and reigning U.S. Amateur Champion James Piot seemed to be prepared for the Masters Tournament.
He won the Georgia Cup, which is annually held the week prior to Masters, pits the British Amateur Champion, Laird Shepard against the U.S. Amateur champion and is hosted by the Country Club of Georgia.
The first Georgia Cup was held in 1998 with Matt Kuchar defeating Craig Watson.
This event presents an opportunity for galleries to walk The Golf Club of Georgia. Entry is complimentary as spectators are invited to spend the day with the two finest amateur golfers in the world. In the spirit and intimacy of the Walker Cup matches, fans can walk with the players, unhindered by gallery ropes. The Georgia Cup has grown from an intimate Club event to a unique amateur championship known on both sides of the Atlantic.
Competed in Arnold Palmer Invitational
As a added perk for winning the 2021 U.S. Amateur Championship, MSU’s James Piot was extended an exemption into the Arnold Palmer Invitational to get a feel for playing alongside the professionals, before he got to Augusta.
With two rounds of 78-78 he missed the 36-hole cut, but got a taste of what is like to compete against the best golf professionals on the planet.
Piot at the Masters
As a member of the Spartan’s Golf Team, James Piot understands what an honor and privilege it is to play at Augusta National in the Masters.
“I’m trying to be a kid as much as I can still. That’s what I’m telling people. It’s tough to do and it’s a big transition mentally as you’re playing next to golf’s greats, but I think I’ve done a good job of handling it. You can always be better, that’s my mentality in life.”
He met Tiger Woods, played a practice round with long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau and tried to soak up the atmosphere that surrounds Augusta National.
With rounds of 81-74, Piot missed the cut and did not play on the weekend, but made a lifetime of memories competing in his first Masters Tournament.
Through all of this fanfare, Piot has remained grounded and is ready to complete his final season at MSU.
“Through my time at Michigan State, I have met many extraordinary people and I can only hope that moving forward to my professional career I can have the same luck.”
After the NCAA Championships, Piot plans to turn professional and try to make it to the PGA Tour full time. We are certain the lessons he learned and experiences he had while at MSU will come in handy competing in the demanding professional world of golf.
