PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., Sept. 8, 2025
Stewart hagestad Secures Walker Cup Victory and Continues Amateur Golf Dominance
Stewart hagestad, the veteran amateur golfer and finance executive, secured his fifth Walker Cup victory, further cementing his status in the sport.
- Stewart Hagestad, 34, has won all five Walker Cup teams he’s played on as 2017.
- His latest victory at Cypress Point contributed a crucial point to the U.S. team’s 17-9 win over Great Britain & Ireland.
- Hagestad, the oldest player in this year’s event, has also competed in eight major championships.
- He has consistently chosen amateur golf over a professional career, prioritizing his current lifestyle.
- Fellow golfers like fred Couples and Matt Kuchar acknowledge his distinct talent and presence in the game.
Stewart Hagestad, the tall, slender amateur golfer and finance executive from Southern California, has once again showcased his prowess on the golf course. He was the oldest player by a notable margin at the recent Walker Cup, held at Cypress point, and his contribution was pivotal in the U.S. team’s dominant 17-9 victory over Great Britain & Ireland.This win marks Hagestad’s fifth consecutive Walker Cup triumph since 2017, solidifying his legendary status in the event.
Hagestad has an impressive amateur record that includes appearances in eight major championships: three Masters and five U.S. Opens. He possesses the refined look and game of a polished Tour player, often leading to the question of why he hasn’t pursued a professional career. His straightforward answer sheds light on his motivations.
The Amateur’s Perspective
“At the 2017 Masters,my golf was about as good as it could be,and I finished T-36,” Hagestad recalled. He was the low amateur that year, finishing behind winner Sergio Garcia. Hagestad shot a 294 to Garcia’s 279. “So where am I gonna finish when I’m not playing my best?” he posited.
Matt Kuchar was also at Cypress Point with his son, Cameron, a freshman on the Texas Christian golf team. Kuchar senior was en route to the Procore Championship in Napa. He shared his thoughts on identifying future professional talent among the Walker Cup players. “You can’t tell watching a shot here or a shot there,” Kuchar said. “If you see them on the range, you might have more of a sense. But if you can play with a guy over 36 or 72 holes, then you really know.”
He elaborated on what separates the elite: “Some guys have it. Some guys have the ability to grind it out,play every kind of shot from 60 yards to the bottom of the hole,have enough of an obsessive gene to want to make it,willing to sacrifice other things in their effort to get there.” Kuchar noted a significant gap between top amateurs and those who transition successfully to the professional ranks.
Roger Maltbie, the veteran golf broadcaster, reflected on Hagestad’s reasoning: “That sums up the whole thing.”
In the seven majors Hagestad played after the 2017 Masters, he missed six cuts and made one. Despite this, his future in the sport remains radiant. He is widely expected to captain the Walker Cup team someday and is highly likely to compete on next year’s squad, as the Walker Cup is shifting to even-numbered years.The 2026 event is scheduled for Lahinch in Ireland. Hagestad, by all accounts, is doing just fine.
