John Daly II Advances in the U.S. Amateur
The son of two-time major champion John Daly stood out in the first round of the U.S. Amateur, along with 31 other players who achieved victories in their respective matches. The event took place at The Olympic Club, where several of the world’s best amateurs also secured their passage to the next phase.
John Daly II, a senior at Arkansas, demonstrated a strategic game very different from his father’s “wild” reputation. He secured a 1-up victory over Cooper Claycomb, securing the 11th hole with a birdie and tying the remaining 17 holes.
Jackson Koivun, ranked as the world’s number 1 amateur and representing Auburn, maintained a close match with Ryan Vools. Koivun took the lead on the 16th hole with a par and finished the match with a birdie on the 17th hole, achieving a 1-up victory. This was Koivun’s only birdie in the match.
Ben James, number 2 in the amateur world ranking and a senior at Virginia, defeated Parker Claxton with a score of 2-and-1. Meanwhile, Preston Stout, ranked fourth, secured a 4 and 3 victory over Pennson Badgett.
Two players inside the top 10 suffered defeats in extra holes. Tommy Morrison (No. 6) was surpassed by 18-year-old Mason Howell after a bogey on the 17th hole and a double bogey on the 19th hole. Filip Jakubcik (No. 5) also fell to Eric Lee, after 19 holes.
Other notable top 10 players who advanced were Jace Summy (No. 7) and Christiaan Maas (No. 9).
Tim Wiedenmeyer, from Germany, starred in the biggest comeback, recovering from an unfavorable start where he lost five of the first seven holes against Reed Greyserman, to finally win the last four holes and secure a 2-and-1 victory.
In one of the most exciting matches, Niall Shiels Donegan, whose father was a golf correspondent, achieved victory over Luke Poulter, son of Ian Poulter, with birdies on the last two holes. Donegan was one of the 17 players who advanced after a playoff of 20 players.
