SAN FRANCISCO — A remarkable summer for Georgia’s Mason Howell, a young golfer entering his final year of high school, reached its peak as he secured victory at the U.S. Amateur held at The Olympic Club on Sunday. This triumph came just a couple of months after his debut appearance at the U.S. Open.
Howell, who celebrated his 18th birthday in June, established a significant advantage over Tennessee’s Jackson Herrington during the initial 18 holes. He eventually clinched the 36-hole final with a score of 7 and 6, surpassing Tiger Woods to become the third-youngest champion in U.S. Amateur history. Only Byeong Hun An, who triumphed at age 17 in 2009, and Danny Lee, who won shortly after turning 18 in 2008, achieved the title at a younger age.
“It’s all a whirlwind,” Howell expressed, reflecting on his emotions. “This week has been exceptional. It’s surreal to see my name inscribed on this trophy alongside such esteemed figures. The feeling of being associated with someone like Tiger is simply unbelievable.”
Howell secured his victory with a par on the 30th hole, concluding the most decisive final since Bryson DeChambeau’s similar win over Derek Bard in 2015 with a score of 7 and 6. This win grants Howell invitations to compete in the Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open in the upcoming year. Furthermore, he earned a spot in the Walker Cup matches, set to take place along the coast at Cypress Point in September.
“I maintained a strong sense of confidence throughout the summer,” Howell commented on his performance. “It’s all about self-belief. I knew I possessed the ability. I just needed to exude confidence, and I believed that would translate into good golf and maintaining a positive mindset.”
This marked the first U.S. Amateur final featuring two teenage competitors since Matt Fitzpatrick’s victory over Oliver Goss in 2013. Howell displayed remarkable composure, akin to a seasoned golfer, consistently sinking crucial putts while Herrington encountered a series of errors.
Howell prevailed in 11 holes, securing eight of them with pars. Notably, he responded positively after each of the four holes he lost, winning the subsequent hole each time.
Howell initially gained attention by qualifying for this year’s U.S. Open with impressive rounds of 63-63 at the Atlanta sectional. Despite missing the cut at Oakmont, he effectively leveraged that experience during this week’s competition at The Olympic Club.
He was among the 17 players who advanced from a 20-man playoff to participate in the match play segment of the tournament, where he emerged victorious in all six matches.
“To be honest, I have recognized his talent for quite some time,” remarked his father, Robert Howell. “He’s truly had a remarkable and breakthrough summer.”
Howell secured five of six holes on the front nine during the opening 18 holes, including an impressive eagle at No. 7, establishing a four-hole lead. He extended his lead to five with a birdie on the par-5 16th hole, as his consistent putting kept Herrington at bay.
“Our primary objective for today was to establish a lead through nine,” Howell explained. “We had such a strong start. I wanted to maintain the momentum, but I didn’t want to make any rash decisions. I knew that if I consistently hit the center of the greens and two-putted, that would suffice.”
Herrington concluded the first 18 holes with a birdie on the par-5 18th, narrowing the gap to four. However, he then bogeyed the first three holes after the lunch break, falling behind by six and struggling to mount a significant challenge for the remainder of the match.
“He performed well, while my performance was subpar,” Herrington admitted. “It was unfortunate that things unfolded that way, but I gained valuable insights about myself.”
Howell is now preparing for his senior year of high school, which commenced this past week, before beginning his college journey at the University of Georgia in 2026.
“Ultimately, I will still need to attend classes for several hours in the coming months,” Howell acknowledged. “For now, I intend to savor this moment and truly relish it with my friends and family.”
Herrington, aged 19, is on the verge of commencing his sophomore year in college at Tennessee.
This event marks the fourth occasion that The Olympic Club has hosted the U.S. Amateur. Previous winners at this venue include Charles Coe (1958), Nathaniel Crosby (1981), and Cole Knost (2007).
