Played four seasons at Duke University (2009-13), where he earned three individual victories, 2012 All-America Third Team and 2012 All-Atlantic Coast Conference selections, and helped the Blue Devils win the team title at the 2013 ACC Championship. As a junior, posted a 71.27 scoring average for the 2011-12 season, breaking the school record for single-season scoring average. Finished his career ranked fourth in program history in career scoring average (72.78).

Helped Duke reach the semifinals of match play at the 2011 NCAA Championship, where the Blue Devils fell to a University of Georgia team featuring future PGA TOUR winners Harris English, Russell Henley, and Hudson Swafford.

Qualified for match play at both the 2006 and 2008 U.S. Junior Amateur Championships. In 2006, lost in the first round to future PGA TOUR winner Andrew Putnam. In 2008, defeated Rick Lamb in the first round but fell to future PGA TOUR Player of the Year and FedExCup champion Jordan Spieth in the second round.

Prepped at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns, Florida, where he won individual state titles in 2007 and 2008, becoming the eighth player in history to win multiple state titles. Also led Bartram Trail to the team state title in 2008.