Mason Howell, 18 years old, conquers the US Amateur: The youngest since 2009!

The young golfer Mason Howell, a high school senior, capped off a productive summer by winning the U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club on Sunday. This victory comes just two months after his participation in the U.S. Open, demonstrating his rapid rise in the world of golf. Howell, who turned 18 in June, dominated fellow teenager Jackson Herrington in the first 18 holes, solidifying his triumph in the 36-hole final with a score of 7 and 6. With this victory, Howell becomes the third youngest champion in the history of the U.S. Amateur, surpassing even Tiger Woods.

A Golf Promise

Only Byeong Hun An, who won at 17 in 2009, and Danny Lee, who triumphed a month after turning 18 in 2008, were younger than Howell when winning the championship. “Everything is mixed up,” Howell said of his emotions. “It’s been an incredible week. To have my name alongside these other names on this trophy is incredible. To be standing next to someone named Tiger is an unreal feeling.” Howell secured the victory with a par on the 30th hole, marking the most uneven final since Bryson DeChambeau defeated Derek Bard with a similar score in 2015. This victory earned Howell invitations to the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open next year, as well as a spot in the Walker Cup in September. During the summer, Howell showed great confidence in his game. “I knew it was in me. I just needed to play with confidence, and I think that would translate into good golf and staying positive,” he stated. The final of this year’s U.S. Amateur was the first to feature two teenagers since 2013. Howell demonstrated exceptional maturity, making crucial putts while Herrington made mistakes.

Howell won 11 holes, eight of them with pars. In addition, he reacted positively after losing each of the four holes he conceded, winning the next hole on each occasion. Howell caused a sensation by qualifying for this year’s U.S. Open, with rounds of 63-63 in the Atlanta section. Although he didn’t make the cut at Oakmont, he used that experience at The Olympic Club. He was one of 17 players who advanced from a 20-player tiebreaker to reach the tournament’s match play phase, where he won all six matches. His father, Robert Howell, commented: “Honestly, I’ve known how good he is for a long time. He’s had an exceptional summer.” Howell took a four-hole lead by winning five of the first six holes, including an eagle on the 7th hole. He extended his lead to five with a birdie on the 16th hole, thanks to his consistent putting game.

“That’s something we really wanted to start with today, to take the lead in the first nine,” Howell said. “We got off to a good start. I wanted to keep my foot on the gas, but I didn’t want to do anything stupid. I knew that if I hit the ball to the center of the greens and made two putts, it would be enough.”

Mason Howell

Herrington reduced the gap with a birdie on the 18th hole, but then bogeyed the first three holes after the break, which diminished his chances of a comeback. “He played well, and I didn’t play very well,” Herrington said. “It was unfortunate, but I learned a lot about myself.” Howell is now preparing for his final year of high school, which began this week, before starting his university studies at the University of Georgia in 2026.

“At the end of the day, I still have to sit in a classroom for eight hours these next few months,” Howell said. “I just have to enjoy this and enjoy it with friends and family.”

Mason HowellHerrington, 19, is about to begin his second year at the University of Tennessee. This is the fourth U.S. Amateur held at The Olympic Club. Charles Coe (1958), Nathaniel Crosby (1981), and Colt Knost (2007) won the others.