The possibility of a former PGA Tour professional — who made more than $5 million in prize money and won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour — competing for a coveted title like the U.S. Mid-Amateur does not sit right with the greater golf community. Imagine that same player accepting an invitation to the Masters as a result.But Colt Knost swears that is not the plan, as the current CBS broadcaster seeks to become a reinstated amateur.“People think my sole purpose in doing this is to try to win the USGA Mid-Am. That is not the case. I promise you,” Knost said.Knost began his application process a year ago with the United States Golf Association (USGA) and posted an update to X on Tuesday, writing, “I’m sure this will make a lot of people happy.”In a screenshot of an email Knost received from the USGA, the governing body wrote that it has decided to re-evaluate its guidelines around applicants with a “successful history” competing in professional tournaments and, therefore, Knost’s application has been formally placed on hold.In a statement provided to The Athletic, the USGA explained that it goes beyond Knost — the issue of former professional golfers attempting to become amateurs again is now under official review.“The USGA is currently reviewing its amateur status reinstatement guidelines and, as part of that process, has temporarily paused the processing of a select number of reinstatement applications,” the USGA wrote. “The review is focused on the role and purpose of reinstatement and waiting periods, including how those elements work together and their impact on the amateur game. We believe it is important to take a thoughtful look at the current framework before determining whether any changes are appropriate.”PGA Tour players react to new Tour ChampionshipGabby HerzigThe debate around reinstated amateurs intensified last fall when six of the eight quarterfinalists in the U.S. Mid-Amateur were former professionals who had regained their amateur status. The U.S. Mid-Am Championship is open to players at least 25 years old, with a handicap of 2.4 or below.