Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: USGA
James Piot to Make PGA Tour Debut this Week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational
3/1/2022 10:08:00 AM | Men's Golf
By Joe Hicks
For MSUSpartans.com
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State senior golfer James Piot considers himself to be an average person.
The golf world may say otherwise, especially since Piot shot into the national conversation last summer by winning the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship, one of the sport's biggest titles.
And while Piot doesn't like to get caught up in the hype or praise or expectations thrown at him since his win last August, the Spartan senior will be thrust into the spotlight once again this week.
Last summer, he proved he could play against the best amateurs in the world. This week, he gets to try and prove it against the best players in the world when he makes his PGA Tour debut in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla.
Piot's win as the U.S. Amateur, in which he also became the first winner from the state of Michigan, guaranteed him a spot in the event, where he will play alongside some of the top players in the world. This year's field includes the No. 1-ranked player in the world, Jon Rahm, along with Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.
Piot played a practice round on Monday at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge and the tournament will run from Thursday, March 3 to Sunday, March 6.
Despite all of the hype, praise and expectations that have come since his win in August, Piot tries not to get caught up in it. Since his return to campus in September, he got back to the basics, like going to class and playing golf with his Michigan State teammates.
"I'm a basic guy, being on the course doing my thing, hanging with the fellas makes me happy," Piot said. "I don't need the spotlight and the cool opportunities that have come from winning the Championship. For my last year at MSU, I'm here to enjoy the ride and play some golf while doing it."
Piot has been the star of MSU's golf team for a while. Last year, he recorded the program's lowest season scoring average in history, with a 71.33. He finished sixth at the 2021 Big Ten Championships and was the first Spartan since 2002 to compete as an individual at the NCAA Tournament. His success was just limited to the golf course, as he was also a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, thanks to his 3.66 grade-point average as a finance major.
Michigan State head coach Casey Lubahn sees Piot as a superstar who is always trying to improve his game and be a good teammate.
"I would think the stardom that whatever comes with this, would be more annoying than gratifying," Lubahn said about Piot's raised profile after the Amateur win. "Obviously, this has been great and getting to play this weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will be a great experience, but throughout it all, James will go out and play, he'll practice, and he wants to get better."
Right now, he's playing golf for the sport's sake. Going pro is in his future plans and this weekend will give him a taste of what that experience could be like.
"It's really been a whirlwind for me," Piot said. "I've had some great experiences since winning it, from throwing out the first pitch at a Tigers game and to being recognized on campus and at different events.
"This week, I'll just be another guy looking to make the cut, but to get the chance to play in an event this prestigious and with some of the best players in the world is something I've been looking forward to all year."
Having people know his name, and be happy for his big win, is still a work-in-progress for Piot. He still thinks of himself as somebody nobody knows about, but even that changed in the fall when classmates were asking for his autograph.
"I sometimes forget just how much fame has come along with winning the Amateur," Piot said. "One day last semester, I had a few kids in one of my classes come up to me and both thanked and congratulated me on the victory, and said it's an honor being in the same class as me."
Regardless of his outcome this weekend, Piot wants to make the most of this semester, enjoying the last moments of college, playing well for MSU, and preparing for the pro tour.
"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," Piot said.
Piot, Lubahn and all Spartan golf fans are anxiously awaiting to see that luck start this week.
For MSUSpartans.com
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State senior golfer James Piot considers himself to be an average person.
The golf world may say otherwise, especially since Piot shot into the national conversation last summer by winning the 121st U.S. Amateur Championship, one of the sport's biggest titles.
And while Piot doesn't like to get caught up in the hype or praise or expectations thrown at him since his win last August, the Spartan senior will be thrust into the spotlight once again this week.
Last summer, he proved he could play against the best amateurs in the world. This week, he gets to try and prove it against the best players in the world when he makes his PGA Tour debut in the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Fla.
Piot's win as the U.S. Amateur, in which he also became the first winner from the state of Michigan, guaranteed him a spot in the event, where he will play alongside some of the top players in the world. This year's field includes the No. 1-ranked player in the world, Jon Rahm, along with Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler.
Piot played a practice round on Monday at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge and the tournament will run from Thursday, March 3 to Sunday, March 6.
Despite all of the hype, praise and expectations that have come since his win in August, Piot tries not to get caught up in it. Since his return to campus in September, he got back to the basics, like going to class and playing golf with his Michigan State teammates.
"I'm a basic guy, being on the course doing my thing, hanging with the fellas makes me happy," Piot said. "I don't need the spotlight and the cool opportunities that have come from winning the Championship. For my last year at MSU, I'm here to enjoy the ride and play some golf while doing it."
Piot has been the star of MSU's golf team for a while. Last year, he recorded the program's lowest season scoring average in history, with a 71.33. He finished sixth at the 2021 Big Ten Championships and was the first Spartan since 2002 to compete as an individual at the NCAA Tournament. His success was just limited to the golf course, as he was also a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, thanks to his 3.66 grade-point average as a finance major.
Michigan State head coach Casey Lubahn sees Piot as a superstar who is always trying to improve his game and be a good teammate.
"I would think the stardom that whatever comes with this, would be more annoying than gratifying," Lubahn said about Piot's raised profile after the Amateur win. "Obviously, this has been great and getting to play this weekend at the Arnold Palmer Invitational will be a great experience, but throughout it all, James will go out and play, he'll practice, and he wants to get better."
Right now, he's playing golf for the sport's sake. Going pro is in his future plans and this weekend will give him a taste of what that experience could be like.
"It's really been a whirlwind for me," Piot said. "I've had some great experiences since winning it, from throwing out the first pitch at a Tigers game and to being recognized on campus and at different events.
"This week, I'll just be another guy looking to make the cut, but to get the chance to play in an event this prestigious and with some of the best players in the world is something I've been looking forward to all year."
Having people know his name, and be happy for his big win, is still a work-in-progress for Piot. He still thinks of himself as somebody nobody knows about, but even that changed in the fall when classmates were asking for his autograph.
"I sometimes forget just how much fame has come along with winning the Amateur," Piot said. "One day last semester, I had a few kids in one of my classes come up to me and both thanked and congratulated me on the victory, and said it's an honor being in the same class as me."
Regardless of his outcome this weekend, Piot wants to make the most of this semester, enjoying the last moments of college, playing well for MSU, and preparing for the pro tour.
"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," Piot said.
Piot, Lubahn and all Spartan golf fans are anxiously awaiting to see that luck start this week.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Golf
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