The 2025 U.S. Open represents a homecoming of sorts for Matt Vogt, who simultaneously represents one of the field’s lesser-known and most popular figures.
The Indiana-based talent has enjoyed quite the ride to reach one of golf’s most notable tournaments. A 34-year-old amateur who stands at a towering 6-6, Vogt is certainly one-of-one.
His game is, too. He speaks softly but carries a daunting stick, one which can elicit fireworks atop even the most cavernous of courses. He’s hoping to find a rhythm at Oakmont. There’s reason to believe he’ll be able to do just that.
But Vogt’s journey isn’t your typical golf tale. Unlike the vast majority of his competitors, golf doesn’t take up the vast majority of Vogt’s professional life. Dentistry does.
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With that, here’s what you need to know about Matt Vogt, one of the 2025 U.S. Open’s most interesting participants.
Who is Matt Vogt?
At 34 years old, Vogt is firmly in his prime as a golfer. He endured a few years of hardship during his early 20s, leaving the sport entirely for a spell to support his other passion: dentistry.
A southwestern Pennsylvania native, Vogt once shined on the links at his high school, Seneca Valley, before enjoying a brief, if notable, collegiate career at Butler.
He had a fiery drive, of course. But Vogt’s game was pockmarked with little issues, chief among them his “hot-headed” nature. So, Vogt watched on from the gallery, pursuing a biology degree before earning his dental school certifications at the University of Indiana.
The move was an inspired one. Vogt opened up his own dental practice, entitled The Dentists at Gateway Crossing. He’s got a family now.
And with the rest of his life fairly stable, Vogt’s spent the last few years climbing his way up the Indiana amateur ranks. In 2021, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur, curiously hosted at Oakmont. He didn’t make it out of stroke play, although even that showing was a bit of a misnomer — Vogt shot an 80-something on the first day of the tourney before producing a 67 on an alternate site in Day 2.
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A few months later, Vogt linked up with famed long drive champion and influencer Kyle Berkshire. The latter helped the former get involved in a long drive competition in Nevada. Vogt paid off his faith by uncorking a 466-yard moonshot that sailed into the rough.
He still had that ferocious power.
After going back to basics, Vogt laid out a route by which he’d qualify for this year’s national championship. That pathway saw him take his talents o Wine Valley Golf Club, with glistening terrain and wide thoroughfares that played into his strengths as a player. He earned medalist honors at the Walla Walla, Washington venue, punching his ticket to Oakmont in the process.
Now comes his next trick — gracing his hometown course. A few years back, he was a caddie at the 10-time U.S. Open host venue. Now, he’ll be taking the course alongside some of golf’s biggest names. After the journey he’s had mounting the amateur and professional ranks, that’s not a bad place to be.
“Oakmont and Pittsburgh mean so much to me,” Vogt said, per Golf Digest. “Just to be a part of the U.S. Open at Oakmont, and to be able to play in the event, to test my game against the best players in the world, it’s a dream come true, honestly. And I have zero expectations for the week, zero expectations. I just want to soak it all in and see what happens.”
MORE: Inside Bryson DeChambeau’s majors timeline
What happened to Matt Vogt’s father?
Father’s Day will take on a significant meaning for Vogt, who lost his father, Jim, two months ago.
Jim Vogt was Vogt’s most vociferous supporter. His passing two months ago from colon cancer will be at the forefront of Vogt’s mind — he’s expected to sport the blue ribbon signifying colon cancer awareness.
Moreover, he’s grateful for the time he got to spend with his father. He’s hoping to honor his memory by enjoying his weekend and basking in the joy of his unusual path to one of American golf’s true landmarks.
“I think this weekend is going to be full of gratitude,” Vogt said, per AP. “And hopefully some good golf, too.”Â
Has an amateur ever won the U.S. Open?
Contrary to popular belief, amateurs have a glint history at the U.S. Open. Five amateurs have hoisted the U.S. Open jug in the tournament’s history: Francis Ouimet, Jerome Travers, Charles Evans Jr., Bobby Jones and Johnny Goodman.
However, an amateur hasn’t landed the prize since Goodman in 1933. In other words, Vogt’s work is cut out for him, even if he doesn’t know it yet.
Best amateur finishes at U.S. Open
Vogt would need an epic showing to join the list of U.S. Open amateur winners. All told, amateurs have lifted the trophy on eight separate occasions, all of which came more than 90 years ago.
With that, here’s a look at the best amateur finishes at the national championship.
| Year | Golfer | Place | Course |
| 1913 | Francis Ouimet | 1 | The Country Club |
| 1915 | Jerome Travers | 1 | Baltusrol |
| 1916 | Charles Evans Jr. | 1 | Minikahda |
| 1923 | Bobby Jones | 1 | Inwood |
| 1926 | Bobby Jones | 1 | Scioto |
| 1929 | Bobby Jones | 1 | Winged Foot |
| 1930 | Bobby Jones | 1 | Interlachen |
| 1933 | Johnny Goodman | 1 | North Shore |
Amateurs haven’t been quite as successful in the decades since Goodman’s 1933 triumph. But they have made their mark in recent years as of late: Jordan Spieth (2012), Matt Fitzpatrick (2014), Jon Rahm (2016), Scottie Scheffler (2017) and Viktor Holland (2019) have all landed the Low Amateur prize in the competition.
