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Cameron Champ
Cameron Champ
from Wikipedia

Cameron Mackray Champ (born June 15, 1995) is an American professional golfer from Sacramento, California.[2]

Key Information

College career

[edit]

For the Texas A&M Aggies he won the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational and finished in the top 10 of six other tournaments. He finished second to Adam Wise in the Pac-12 Robert Brandi Invitational.[3]

2017 U.S. Open

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Champ qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open through sectional qualifying, where he had to compete in a playoff.[4] It was his first major appearance.[5] After two rounds, he was tied for eighth place,[6] and was also leading the driving distance statistics.[7] Along with Scottie Scheffler, he was one of only two amateurs to make the cut.[8] Scheffler finished as the low amateur at 1-under-par, while Champ finished at even-par.

Professional career

[edit]

In December 2017, Champ tied for 16th in the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.[9] This earned him a place on the Web.com Tour for the start of 2018.

During the 2018 Web.com Tour season, Champ won the 2018 Utah Championship in July 2018.[10] He earned his tour card for the 2018–19 PGA Tour season by earning $253,731 and finishing 6th in the 2018 Web.com Tour regular season.[10]

On October 28, 2018, Champ won his first PGA Tour title by winning the Sanderson Farms Championship with a score of −21.[11] Over and above his win, Champ had an excellent 2018 Fall Series, finishing T25 at the Safeway Open, T28 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, T10 at the Mayakoba Golf Classic and 6th at the RSM Classic. This brought his world ranking up to 97 as of November 19, 2018 and left him 6th on the FedEx Cup standings heading into the 2019 calendar year.

Champ is known for being one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. In 2017, Champ registered a 129.79 mph average clubhead speed in his debut at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.[12]

Champ has worked with instructor Sean Foley since age 14 and although he hits a lower ball flight than the average long hitter on the PGA Tour, Champ was the longest driver on tour for the 2018–19 season with a 317.1 yard average. For the 2018 Web.com tour season, Champ averaged 343.1 yards off the tee and led the 2017 U.S. Open in driving distance at 337 yards.

On September 29, 2019, Champ won the Safeway Open with a birdie at the 72nd hole. It was his first win in a full−strength PGA Tour tournament.

On June 23, 2020, prior to the Travelers Championship, Champ became the second PGA Tour player to test positive for COVID-19 after Nick Watney did the week before.[13]

On July 25, 2021, Champ scored a two stroke victory at the 3M Open after hitting a gap wedge on the 72nd hole from 127 yards to within 3 feet to save par. He had five birdies and no bogeys in his final round to shoot 15-under 269 at TPC Twin Cities. Louis Oosthuizen, Jhonattan Vegas and Charl Schwartzel tied for second.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Champ is of mixed black and white descent. His father is biracial (black and white), while Cameron's mother is white.[15][16] Cameron's father Jeff played two seasons of professional baseball in the Baltimore Orioles organization.[17] Champ supports Black Lives Matter.[18]

Professional wins (4)

[edit]

PGA Tour wins (3)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 Oct 28, 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship 65-70-64-68=267 −21 4 strokes Canada Corey Conners
2 Sep 29, 2019 Safeway Open 67-68-67-69=271 −17 1 stroke Canada Adam Hadwin
3 Jul 25, 2021 3M Open 69-67-67-66=269 −15 2 strokes South Africa Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa Charl Schwartzel,
Venezuela Jhonattan Vegas

Web.com Tour wins (1)

[edit]
No. Date Tournament Winning score To par Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 Jul 15, 2018 Utah Championship 61-64-67-68=260 −24 1 stroke United States Steven Ihm

Results in major championships

[edit]

Results not in chronological order in 2020.

Tournament 2017 2018
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open T32
The Open Championship
PGA Championship
Tournament 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Masters Tournament T19 T26 T10 CUT
PGA Championship T54 T10 CUT CUT
U.S. Open CUT CUT
The Open Championship NT
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

[edit]
Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
Masters Tournament 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 3
PGA Championship 0 0 0 0 1 1 4 2
U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 0 0 0 0 2 3 11 6
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 3 (2017 U.S. Open – 2020 PGA)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (twice)

Results in The Players Championship

[edit]
Tournament 2019 2020 2021 2022
The Players Championship WD C CUT CUT

CUT = missed the halfway cut
WD = withdrew
C = Canceled after the first round due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Results in World Golf Championships

[edit]
Tournament 2020 2021
Championship T48
Match Play NT1
Invitational T25 T31
Champions NT1 NT1

1Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic

  Did not play

NT = No tournament
"T" = Tied

U.S. national team appearances

[edit]

Amateur

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Cameron Champ (born June 15, 1995) is an professional on the , distinguished by his exceptional driving distance and three tournament victories.
Champ was introduced to golf at age two by his grandfather Mack, a who emphasized perseverance, and grew up honing his skills at a local par-3 course in , where he was born and raised. A First Tee alumnus, he developed his game through affordable access to facilities before attending , where he competed collegiately, and turning professional in 2017. His successes include winning the Sanderson Farms Championship in the 2018–19 season, the Safeway Open in 2019–20, and the in 2020–21, establishing him as a long-hitter capable of averaging over 320 yards off the tee in multiple seasons. Champ has also participated in team events like the Walker Cup and maintains a foundation promoting STEM and access for underserved youth, reflecting his roots in modest beginnings.

Early life and education

Early life and family background

Cameron Champ was born on June 15, 1995, in Sacramento, California, to parents Jeff and Lisa Champ. He grew up in a biracial household, with his father Jeff being biracial—descended from African-American and white ancestry—and his mother Lisa being white. The family operated a trophy business in Sacramento, the proceeds from which supported competitive youth golf activities for Champ and his three siblings. Champ's paternal grandfather, Mack Ray Champ, born on June 1, 1941, in , played a pivotal role in introducing him to during his early years. Mack attended segregated schools amid the era of , with his forebears working as sharecroppers and farmers in rural . This generational legacy of overcoming racial barriers in a predominantly white sport has informed Champ's perspective, as he has noted the historical exclusion faced by his grandfather, who passed away in October 2019.

High school and amateur achievements

Champ demonstrated early promise in junior golf while attending high school in , focusing primarily on competitive amateur events rather than school team play. As a junior golfer, he won a local tournament in at age 5 and a larger event at age 8, showcasing his burgeoning length and talent off the tee. In 2012, Champ was selected for the team, contributing to their victory over Europe. That year, he earned First-Team Junior All-American honors from the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). He repeated as an AJGA Junior All-American in 2013. During his senior year of high school in , Champ, ranked among juniors nationally by Golfweek, won the Roseville Championship by four strokes over Juan Gonzalez. These accomplishments, including seeking tournament funding through organizations like the Morton Golf Foundation as a high school junior, positioned him as a top recruit for .

College career at Texas A&M

Champ competed for the men's team, posting a scoring average of 71.50 across 34 rounds during his primary competitive season. He secured one individual tournament victory and five top-five finishes, culminating in a strong late-season performance. In September 2016, Champ won the OFCC/Fighting Illini Invitational at the in Medinah, , claiming the individual title by three strokes at five under par against a strong collegiate field. This marked his lone college win and highlighted his first fully healthy season, during which he also recorded six additional top-10 finishes. Champ earned honors in 2017 after his standout junior campaign and was selected as a two-time All-Region performer. He advanced to the finals of the National Player of the Year Award, recognizing his contributions to the No. 1-ranked Aggies program. Following a limited fall 2017 schedule with one event appearance, Champ forwent his senior year to turn professional in November 2017.

Amateur highlights

2017 U.S. Open performance

Champ, a senior at Texas A&M University, qualified for the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin as one of 10 amateurs in the field of 156 players. On June 15, coinciding with his 22nd birthday, he opened with a 2-under-par 70, highlighted by an average driving distance of 349.4 yards, the longest in the field. In the second round on June 16, Champ shot a 3-under 69, reaching 5-under for the tournament and tying for eighth place entering the weekend, two shots off the lead held by Brian Harman. He became one of only two amateurs to make the cut, alongside Scottie Scheffler. Champ's momentum faded over the weekend, as he posted a 1-over 73 in the third round and a 4-over 76 in the final round, closing at even-par 288. This total secured a tie for 32nd place, the second-best finish among behind Scheffler's tie for 27th. As an , he earned no despite the strong showing, which showcased his power off the tee but exposed inconsistencies in approach play and putting under major-championship pressure. The performance elevated his profile, drawing attention from scouts and contributing to his decision to turn professional shortly thereafter.

Other notable amateur events

In July 2017, Champ won the 114th Trans-Mississippi Amateur Championship at Prairie Dunes Country Club in , posting a 54-hole total of 9-under-par 201 to secure a three-stroke victory over runners-up and Stoney Crouch. The win, one of the premier mid-amateur invitational events in the United States, highlighted Champ's power off the tee and improved putting, elevating his world amateur ranking into the top five. Later that month, Champ finished as runner-up at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship at in , where he competed against a strong field including future professionals. His performance underscored a strong summer circuit, though he fell short of another title. Champ represented the in the 2017 at , posting a 1-2-1 record across four matches as the U.S. team defeated and 19-7. Paired with in one session, his contributions helped secure the biennial team's dominant victory, marking a capstone to his amateur career before turning professional.

Professional career

Transition to professional golf

Cameron Champ decided to forgo his remaining two semesters at and turn professional in November 2017, following a strong amateur performance at the 2017 U.S. Open where he tied for 32nd place. His decision was influenced by his emerging reputation as one of the longest drivers in college , averaging over 320 yards off the tee, which positioned him to compete effectively in professional circuits. Shortly after announcing his pro status on November 6, 2017, Champ received a sponsor exemption to play the OHL Classic at Mayakoba, marking one of his initial professional outings. To secure playing opportunities, Champ entered the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament in late 2017. He tied for 11th in the first stage, advancing to the finals held December 7–10 at , where he finished tied for 16th, earning conditional status on the Web.com Tour (now ) for the 2018 season. This result provided him with a platform to compete full-time professionally, supplemented by sponsor exemptions into select events, such as the 2018 Genesis Open via the Memorial Exemption. During his 2018 Web.com Tour rookie season, Champ demonstrated rapid adaptation to professional competition, culminating in his first professional victory at the Utah Championship on , defeating Bronson Burgoon by three strokes with a final-round 64. This win, powered by his record-setting driving distance—including a 391-yard average off the tee—propelled him up the points list and facilitated access to PGA Tour events later that year, setting the stage for full-time elevation to the in 2019.

Early PGA Tour successes (2018–2021)

Champ secured his PGA Tour card through strong performances on the and sponsor exemptions, making his debut in early 2018. In his ninth career start, he captured his maiden title at the Sanderson Farms Championship on October 28, 2018, finishing at 21-under par with a final-round 68 to win by four strokes over . This victory, achieved through superior ball-striking and averaging over 320 yards off the tee, propelled him to full exempt status for the remainder of the 2018-19 season and highlighted his potential as a power player. Despite inconsistencies in early 2019, including missed cuts and struggles with short-game precision, Champ rebounded to win the Safeway Open on September 29, 2019, his second career title. He closed with a bogey on the 17th but drained a 3-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole for a one-stroke victory over , totaling 19-under par across rounds of 67-68-67-69. The win, dedicated to his ailing grandfather, underscored his resilience amid putting woes that had plagued the year, where he ranked outside the top 150 in strokes gained putting. In 2020, shortened by the , Champ maintained competitive form with multiple top-20 finishes, including a T5 at the , bolstering his driving dominance—he led the Tour in driving distance at 316.4 yards. He carried momentum into , securing his third victory at the on July 25, overcoming dehydration in hot conditions with a final-round 66 to finish at 15-under par, two strokes ahead of runners-up. This performance, fueled by improved putting and eight birdies against three bogeys, elevated him to a career-high world ranking of 45th and affirmed his status among the Tour's longest hitters.

PGA Tour wins

Cameron Champ has recorded three PGA Tour victories, with his debut professional win coming in his ninth career start and subsequent triumphs showcasing his power off the tee amid varying field strengths. His first victory occurred at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship, held October 22–28 at the Country Club of Jackson in . Champ closed with a 4-under-par 68 to finish at 21-under-par 267, securing a four-stroke margin over . The win, in a featuring a limited field due to its scheduling opposite the , earned him $1,044,000 and propelled him to 52nd in the . Champ claimed his second title at the 2019 Safeway Open, contested September 23–29 at Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) in . He birdied the par-5 18th hole in the final round for a one-stroke victory over , totaling 17-under-par 271 after rounds of 67-68-67-69. This full-field event marked his against top , highlighted by leading the field in driving distance at 337.1 yards, and was dedicated to his grandfather battling cancer; it awarded $1,206,000. His third and most recent win came at the 2021 , played July 19–25 at in (par 71). Champ posted a final-round 5-under-par 66 despite challenges, finishing at 15-under-par 269 for a two-stroke edge over , , and . The victory, buoyed by strong putting after entering the week ranked 206th in strokes gained: putting, netted $1,314,000 and elevated him into the top 65 of the .
TournamentDateLocationWinning ScoreMarginPurse Won
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipOct 22–28, 2018Jackson, MS267 (−21, par 72)4 strokes$1,044,000
Safeway OpenSep 23–29, 2019Napa, CA271 (−17, par 72)1 stroke$1,206,000
Jul 19–25, 2021Blaine, MN269 (−15, par 71)2 strokes$1,314,000

Post-2021 performance and challenges

Following his third victory at the in July 2021, Champ encountered significant setbacks, including a left that forced him to withdraw from the remainder of the 2021 season to allow for proper healing. In early 2022, he suffered a broken left in a home accident and tested positive for just before a scheduled event, further disrupting his schedule and contributing to reduced playing time and form. These physical issues marked the onset of broader challenges, as Champ recorded no further wins after 2021, with his declining from 155th in 2022 to 265th in 2023 and 406th in 2024. From 2022 to 2024, Champ's performance showed inconsistency, highlighted by strong driving distance—ranking fourth on Tour in 2022–23—but hampered by frequent missed cuts and limited top finishes, reflecting ongoing struggles with precision and mental resilience. By 2025, he openly discussed mental health difficulties, describing himself as his "worst enemy" due to mentality issues that predated recent seasons and led him to prioritize family happiness and wellness over golf results, even consulting a performance and wellness coach. These challenges manifested in low priority status for events, such as entering the 2025 RBC Canadian Open as the eighth alternate after planning for Korn Ferry Tour play, yet he led after the first round before finishing T9 at 14-under. In 2025, Champ achieved one top-10 finish amid 132nd in FedExCup standings, with notable efforts like a first-round 64 at after late entry and a T15 there, contrasted by missed cuts at events including the Procore Championship and Sanderson Farms Championship. His persistent power off the tee remained a strength, but lapses in execution and mental fortitude contributed to the absence of sustained contention, underscoring a career phase defined by recovery and variability rather than dominance.

Recent developments (2024–2025)

In 2024, Champ endured a difficult season on the , marked by frequent missed cuts and finishes outside the top 50, including T69 at the Sanderson Farms Championship (October 3, scoring -5) and T66 at the Procore Championship (September 12, -2). His total earnings amounted to $352,843, placing him 184th in the money list and reflecting broader struggles with consistency. The 2025 campaign showed signs of resurgence early on, with Champ posting a T9 at the RBC Canadian Open (June 4–8, 62-66-71-67 for 266, -14), his lone top-10 finish of the year to date and one of his strongest performances amid ongoing short-game challenges. Other notable results included T19 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic (June 26–29, 271, -17) and T27 at the (July 3–6). However, inconsistency persisted, evidenced by a missed cut at the Procore Championship (September 11–14, 145, +1) and participation in events such as T19 at the Astara Golf Championship (February 6, -11). His FedExCup ranking hovered around 132nd, with zero wins. Off the course, Champ hosted a youth golf clinic on September 9, 2025, at Haggin Oaks Golf Complex in , engaging 60 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs in partnership with to promote the sport. In late October, he started strongly at the Korn Ferry Tour's Bank of Utah Championship (October 23), firing a 5-under opening round to tie for fifth at Black Desert Resort, signaling potential momentum heading into the season's close.

Playing style and equipment

Driving distance and power game

Cameron Champ is recognized as one of the PGA Tour's premier long hitters, leveraging his 6-foot-2 frame and explosive swing speed to generate elite driving distances. In the 2024 season, he topped the Tour's driving distance statistic with an average of 322.8 yards per drive, surpassing competitors like (320.2 yards). His power output is further highlighted by clubhead speeds averaging 130.20 mph and peak ball speeds reaching 198.91 mph, metrics that enable him to consistently outdistance the field. This prowess stems from a kinetic chain sequence emphasizing rapid hip rotation, lag preservation, and efficient ground force utilization, allowing Champ to convert linear speed into rotational power without excessive strain. Champ employs a strong interlocking grip that provides stability and enables efficient energy transfer and torque during the swing. His coach, Sean Foley, notes that Champ applies extreme force to the grip, capable of snapping a graphite shaft mid-swing. Champ's ability to produce prodigious drives has yielded notable in-competition feats, including a 375-yard tee shot at the par-4 fifth hole during the final round of the 2020 , which set up a birdie opportunity from just 70 yards. He has frequently ranked in the top tier of longest drives per event, with documented bombs exceeding 370 yards in multiple rounds, such as during the 2025 season where he recorded drives of 400, 374, and 370 yards in a single week. These distances, measured via Tour-standard ShotLink technology, underscore his capacity to overpower par-5s and shorten holes dramatically, often turning reachable layouts into birdie opportunities that favor his aggressive style. Throughout his professional career, Champ's power game has evolved from his amateur days, where he already demonstrated superior length, into a signature weapon on Tour. He led the driving distance category in with averages exceeding 320 yards and maintained top-10 finishes in subsequent seasons, including a strong showing in 2022. This dominance is not merely statistical; analysts attribute it to biomechanical efficiencies, such as a "slingshot" loading mechanism that maximizes release through dynamic direction changes in the downswing. However, his power is calibrated for consistency, with lower-body stability preventing wild dispersion despite the high velocities involved. Into the 2025 season, Champ continued ranking among the leaders, averaging over 327 yards in early events, reinforcing his status as a benchmark for modern power hitting.

Short game and putting critiques

Cameron Champ's , encompassing chipping, pitching, and bunker play, has been a persistent area of underperformance relative to his elite driving distance. In strokes gained: around the green metrics, Champ frequently ranks near the bottom of the field; for example, during the 2024 season, he placed 169th out of active players, reflecting limited ability to scramble and convert up-and-down opportunities. This deficiency was evident early in his career, with a -0.268 strokes gained: around the green in his 2018 debut event at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, despite leading the field off the tee. Analysts have attributed these struggles to mechanical inconsistencies in his wedge play and a lack of touch, which amplify scoring volatility when his falters, as his power profile demands precise proximity from off the greens to offset frequent misses on approaches. Putting represents another critiqued facet, where Champ's statistics show below-average performance in converting birdie chances and saving pars. Career-long strokes gained: putting has hovered in negative territory, exemplified by -0.179 in his 2018 breakthrough season, contributing to bogey-heavy rounds despite strong ball-striking setups. Recent data from 2025 partial-season play indicates modest variability, with occasional positive outings (e.g., +0.845 in select events) overshadowed by higher putts-per-round averages around 29, signaling inefficiency on greens of varying speeds and breaks. Golf observers, including those analyzing his three victories, note that while hot putting streaks have aided wins, sustained improvement remains elusive, limiting his contention in strokes-gained total rankings and exposing him to for over-reliance on distance rather than all-around proficiency. These shortcomings, when combined, have been cited as primary barriers to consistent top-10 finishes, as Champ's game lacks the scrambling resilience of peers like or .

Equipment preferences and endorsements

Cameron Champ's equipment setup prioritizes maximizing distance, featuring extended shaft lengths and low-loft heads tailored to his powerful swing speed exceeding 120 mph. As of June 2025, he employed a GT2 driver (9-degree loft) with a Project X HZRDUS shaft, enabling average shots over 320 yards, alongside Qi35 (3-wood) and Qi10 (5-wood) fairway woods for hybrid power from the deck. In irons, Champ favors a blend of T100 (4-7 irons) for forgiveness and 620 MB (8-PW) for precision control, supplemented by a U505 utility iron as a long-iron alternative to maintain trajectory consistency on firm lies. His short game includes Ping Glide wedges (50°, 56°, 60°), bent for precise gapping—such as weakening the 56° by 1° and 60° by 2° to achieve 5-degree loft separations—and a Spider Tour X putter with SuperStroke Zenergy grip for stability on fast greens. Grips across full-swing clubs are UTX for enhanced feedback and weather resistance. Historically reliant on Ping clubs for much of his career, including a 44.5-inch Ping G410 driver during his 2019 Safeway Open victory, Champ transitioned to a multi-brand approach by 2024-2025, incorporating and components while retaining select Ping wedges, reflecting iterative testing for optimal ball speed and dispersion control. Champ's endorsements include apparel and footwear from Nike, timepieces from , enterprise software from —highlighted in joint initiatives promoting diversity in —and building materials distributor SRS Distribution, alongside Beats by Dre for audio products. These deals, valued in the multimillions annually, leverage his status as a top driver on the , though specifics remain undisclosed per standard athlete contracts.

Tournament results

Results in major championships

Champ has competed in the four major championships since turning professional in 2017, achieving his career-best finish of tied for tenth at the , where he scored 8 under par across four rounds at . In the at Bethpage Black, he tied for 54th at 9 over par. He missed the cut in the (15 over after two rounds at Kiawah Island) and the 2022 event (10 over after two rounds at Southern Hills). In the Masters Tournament, Champ's most notable result was a tied for 26th finish in 2021 at 1 over par (rounds of 72-68-77-72). He has made the cut in select other appearances but has not contended for the title, with additional finishes including a tie for tenth in 2022. Champ's U.S. Open results as a professional have primarily involved missed cuts, such as in 2025 when he stood at 9 over par after two rounds. As an amateur, he tied for 32nd in 2017 at Erin Hills, shooting 70-69 in the first two rounds to briefly reach tied for eighth. His participation in has been sporadic, with no top-20 finishes recorded and several missed cuts in years he qualified. Overall, Champ's major record reflects his power-oriented game struggling with consistency on demanding courses, as evidenced by four made cuts in approximately ten appearances through 2025.

Results in

Champ debuted in in 2019, recording the longest drive of 376 yards on the seventh hole during the first round at . In 2021, he missed the cut after rounds of +3 and +1, totaling +4. Champ missed the cut again in the 2025 edition, scoring +4 through two rounds.

Results in World Golf Championships

Cameron Champ has made limited appearances in World Golf Championships events, qualifying primarily through PGA Tour performances and world rankings. His most notable result came in the 2020 WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational at , where he finished tied for 25th at 5-under-par 275, with rounds of 71-68-67-69. This performance earned him 3.80 points and improved his ranking from 83rd to 77th. Champ did not advance to significant contention in other WGC formats, such as or the HSBC Champions, and has no recorded top-20 finishes in the series. The discontinuation of most WGC events after further limited opportunities, aligning with his career focused on regular play.

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (3)

Champ secured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2018 Sanderson Farms Championship, held October 25–28 at the Country Club of Jackson in . In his ninth career start, the then-23-year-old closed with a 4-under-par 68, finishing at 21-under-par 267 for a four-stroke margin over . He birdied five of the final six holes to pull away after briefly losing an early lead. His second win came at the 2019 Safeway Open, played September 26–29 at Silverado Resort and Spa in . Champ entered the final round with a three-shot lead after a bogey-free 5-under 67 amid windy conditions, then held off with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole for a one-stroke victory at 17-under-par 271. He ranked first in driving distance (337.1 yards) and strokes gained off-the-tee for the week. Champ claimed his third title at the 2021 , conducted July 22–25 at in . Overcoming , he posted a bogey-free 5-under-par 66 in the final round to finish at 15-under-par 269, two strokes ahead of and . A clutch par save on the 18th sealed the win.

Korn Ferry Tour wins (1)

Champ's sole Korn Ferry Tour victory occurred at the 2018 Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank, contested from July 12 to 15 at Oakridge Country Club in . He carded rounds of 61, 64, 67, and 68 for a tournament-record total of 24-under-par 260, prevailing by one stroke over Steven Ihm. This performance shattered the previous event mark of 262 and secured Champ $126,000 in prize money, along with exemption into the following season's events as one of the top 25 finishers in the Web.com Tour Finals standings.

National team appearances

U.S. team events

Champ competed for the in the 2012 , held at in from September 14–16, where the American team defeated 21.5–14.5. As a 17-year-old from , Champ halved his singles match against Toby Tree of , contributing to the U.S. victory in a competition featuring future professionals like . This marked his debut in international team . In 2017, as a player, Champ was named to the U.S. team, facing and at from September 9–10. The Americans secured a decisive win, 19–7, in what has been described as one of the strongest U.S. amateur teams ever assembled, including talents like and . Champ paired with Scheffler in a Day 1 match, which they lost 3&2 to Scott Gregory and Jack Singh Brar, but the team's overall dominance prevailed. In singles, he fell 6&4 to . As of October 2025, Champ has not been selected for professional U.S. team events such as the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup.

Personal life

Family and heritage

Cameron Champ was born on February 14, 1995, in Sacramento, California, to Jeff Champ, an African-American father, and Lisa Champ, a Caucasian mother, making him biracial. Jeff Champ himself comes from a biracial marriage that encountered significant racial opposition, including delays in legal marriage due to interference from Jeff's employer's racist policies, which required 18 months of effort to overcome. The family emphasized embracing Champ's African-American identity alongside his mixed heritage, fostering a connection to Black culture and history. Champ's paternal grandfather, Mack Champ, was an African-American who developed a passion for golf despite facing severe racial barriers, including exclusion from courses due to segregation in the mid-20th century. Mack shared stories of these struggles with his grandson, instilling a legacy of perseverance that influences Champ's career and advocacy for diversity in golf. Champ has publicly identified as African-American, drawing on this familial history to highlight barriers overcome by previous generations.

Philanthropic efforts

Cameron Champ founded the Cameron Champ Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of youth from underserved and underrepresented communities through programs emphasizing athletics, academics, and healthy living. The foundation's initiatives include youth mentorship and golf programs designed to promote academic achievement and physical wellness, with donations to the organization qualifying as tax-deductible. In 2023, the foundation reported revenue of $674,000, primarily from contributions supporting its community-focused efforts. Champ has organized events such as the Mack Champ Invitational, a that raises funds to advance the foundation's mission of unlocking potential in at-risk . In March 2021, he partnered with his family and to donate $40,000 toward a fund at , enabling scholarships in honor of his grandfather, Charles Martin, a longtime supporter of the historically Black institution. In September 2025, Champ launched a and wellness lounge in his hometown of , as part of broader community outreach to provide accessible resources for youth development and life-changing opportunities through sports. These efforts reflect his commitment to leveraging his professional success in to support educational and athletic access for disadvantaged children.

Public statements on social issues

In August 2020, during the BMW Championship, Cameron Champ wore mismatched Nike shoes—one black inscribed with " BLM" and "," the other white—to protest racial injustice following the police and in reference to Breonna Taylor's killing. He also displayed "Equality" on his hat, explaining that he considered withdrawing from the event in solidarity with athletes boycotting games but chose to compete while raising awareness, stating, "Without dialogue, without talking about it, nothing's going to happen." Champ elaborated on the Black Lives Matter movement, noting, "Black Lives Matter means all lives matter. When people say , yes, , but right now, black lives are being targeted. We need to bring awareness to that." This stance drew mixed reactions, including criticism from some outlets labeling him a "burgeoning left-wing activist," which he addressed by emphasizing national division over the issue. In April 2021, ahead of the , Champ criticized voter ID laws and other measures as targeting communities, asserting, "It really targets certain communities and makes it harder to vote, which to me, it's everyone's right to vote." He has consistently advocated for greater diversity in golf, highlighting the sport's lack of representation and committing to initiatives that support young players, as discussed in a 2021 interview where he reflected on feeling isolated as one of few players of heritage on the . Champ's statements have primarily focused on and injustice, with no recorded public positions on other social topics such as , issues, or as of October 2025.

References

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