Arnold Palmer said the road to success is always under construction.
James Piot, the Michigan State golfer who last summer became the first Michigan golfer to ever win the U.S Amateur Championship, has a clearer understanding of the golf legend’s words after playing in his first PGA Tour event – the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla.
It’s back to school and the construction of his golf game for Piot who shot two rounds of 78 and missed the 36-hole cut in the celebrated event that is named for the late legendary golfer and host at Bay Hill. Brian Cairns, a Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member PGA professional from Fox Hills in Plymouth and Piot’s swing coach, served as caddie for the tournament.
Piot, completing his final golf season with the Spartans this spring, played via a sponsor’s exemption in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He will play via an invitation that traditionally goes to the U.S. Amateur champion in the Masters Championship in April as well.
The reigning GAM Champion’s plans are to turn professional following the conclusion of the MSU golf season and take advantage of the invitations from PGA Tour events that traditionally go to the U.S. Amateur winner. His first tournament playing as a professional could be either the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Tex., May 26-29, or The Memorial at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio, June 2-5. He will be allowed to play as a professional in the U.S. Open via the exemption he earned as U.S. Amateur champion.
“I plan to take advantage of the opportunities to start my professional career,” Piot said recently. “This has been my dream, and winning the U.S. Am gave me a leg-up with the exemptions. I know there’s a lot of work ahead and I’m excited about the challenge.”
