To the last man standing goes the trophy, exemptions to the U.S. Open, the British Open, the next 10 U.S. Amateurs and most likely the next Masters.

“It doesn’t feel like any other tournament,” said 2006 champion Richie Ramsay, the winner the last time the Am came to Hazeltine. “It’s bigger than any other tournament. I remember there was a big blimp and then you go on TV. Stuff like that. And I’m talking this is nearly 20 years ago and everything has grown since then.”

It is played on some of America’s greatest championship courses — Oakmont, Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Cherry Hills, Riviera, the Olympic Club. Now it’s back to Hazeltine, the site of nine USGA championships as well as two PGA Championships and the Ryder Cup, too.

All of them are toughened in length and gnarly rough to exacting standards. Fairways are the place to be, even for spectators who are allowed to walk behind players. Only tee boxes and greens are roped off.

“That’s what makes it so special — you can feel the fans’ excitement, their energy,” 2023 winner and 20-year-old PGA Tour sensation Nick Dunlap said at June’s U.S. Open. “You can draft off that a little bit. Those last two matches is what makes it really, really special.”

As the field shrinks all week, the galleries grow. A table of 15 people dining out the first night gets smaller until it’s just the player, his caddie and a couple other companions.