Winning one of the world's toughest trophies is not an ending, it's a beginning. Five years ago we wrote this, but it highlights just how difficult the U.S. Amateur Championship is to attain.
 
He joined the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Jones, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who also won at Cherry Hills. As written five years ago, it is overwhelming to consider the names Fox is associated with on the Havemeyer Trophy.
 
But if you want an even greater context, these are the names that aren't on it: Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Tom Watson, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Lee Trevino. All those men are American with five or more professional major titles, yet not a single U.S. Amateur title among them. Add in names like Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka; it boggles the mind.
 
"Just to think my name is in the same category with so many greats," Fox stated. "Tiger Woods is on there three times and then you see Steven Fox. Peter Uhlein, who's playing well right now, Jack Nicklaus, Matt Kucher, these names who have made a gazillion dollars on tour, and now I'm on the same trophy. It still doesn't sink in."
 
Here are a few names who fell during Fox's march to the title in 2012. 2017 PGA Champion Justin Thomas was a semi-finalist losing 3&2 to Weaver. Thomas Pieters knocked out Spieth in the first round and fell himself in the second. Others included current PGA Tour pros Bryson DeChambeau, Brandon Hagy, Patrick Rodgers, Max Homa, Oliver Schniederjans, C.T. Pan and Derek Ernst.
 
To further illustrate the degree of difficulty, the No. 2 player in the world Hideki Matsuyama missed qualifying for match play by two shots. Current PGA Tour performers Xander Schauffle, Richy Werenski, Brian Campbell and Trey Mullinax also apprise the list of those that fell short five years ago.
 
Fox was on top of a stacked amateur golf world. Like many, he continues his quest today for PGA Tour status. If the 2012 U.S. Amateur has taught us anything about him, it's not to count him out.