Cameron Young's MLB patch, explained: Why Open Championship contender is one of few golfers with baseball sponsorship

David Suggs

Cameron Young's MLB patch, explained: Why Open Championship contender is one of few golfers with baseball sponsorship image

Cameron Young looked like a man possessed during the first round of the Open Championship.

The 25-year-old rookie kept his nerve despite the howling winds and murky grey skies of St. Andrews, carding a 64 on Thursday, the second-best opening round score in the tournament's history.

Despite his historic showing in Round 1, there was one thing that puzzled golf fans: why was he wearing an MLB patch on his sleeve?

There is a story behind Young's embroidered patch, as well as his connection to America's favorite pastime.

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Why does Cameron Young wear a MLB patch?

The answer is a simple one: Young is sponsored by MLB.

Young is one of a handful of golfers to sport the famous logo. According to Golf.com, Peter Malnati, Billy Andrade, Brandon Todd and Spencer Levin are among golfers who have been sponsored by the league in the past. Chez Reavie has even rocked the Diamondbacks' emblem on his hat throughout his career.

Interestingly enough, the sponsorship comes with a perk: According to Golfweek, golfers endorsed by MLB can get "access to any MLB park.”

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Is Cameron Young a baseball fan?

Young is a Bronx native. He went to Fordham Prep for high school, just 30 minutes away from Yankee Stadium. Unsurprisingly, he's a fan of the Bronx Bombers.

“I’ve always been a Yankees fan. Played a bit growing up. I don’t follow it as closely now, but I was always a Yankees fan growing up,” he said.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.