Photo cred: USGA

Coming into the championship as the No. 362 player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and the 63rd seed out of stroke play, Mason Howell was not the name many expected to see hoisting the Havemeyer Trophy. Yet on a cool Sunday afternoon at The Olympic Club, the 18-year-old from Thomasville, Georgia, left little doubt about his place in amateur golf history, dismantling Jackson Herrington, 19, of Tennessee, by a commanding 7&6 margin in the 36-hole final.

The Final Match

Howell wasted no time setting the tone. He struck crisp irons into the heart of Olympic’s sloping greens, rolled in confident putts, and never trailed in the match. By the time they made the turn in the morning session, Howell had built a cushion that Herrington could never erase. When the final putt dropped on the 30th hole, the match was over — six holes early, a statement win in one of the game’s most grueling formats.

The victory echoed past Olympic Club storylines, where legends have been made and hearts broken in major championships. Howell’s blend of precision and composure belied his age and experience. “He looked like he’d been here before,” one observer noted — and in some ways, he had. Just two months earlier, Howell qualified for the U.S. Open at Oakmont, carding back-to-back 63s in Final Qualifying to become the youngest player in the field.

A Star in the Making

Howell’s rise has been meteoric. Born June 28, 2007, in Thomasville, Georgia, he was introduced to golf at age five when his parents, Robb and Lauren, handed him his first set of clubs. By age six, he was dressing as Bobby Jones for Halloween; by 14, he was shooting 59 at Glen Arven Country Club. His path has always been defined by precocious achievements.

He cut his teeth on the junior circuit, winning the Future Masters (13–14 division) in 2022 and the Billy Horschel Junior Championship in 2023. As a high school senior, he claimed the Georgia Independent Athletic Association’s state individual title while leading his team to yet another championship. His résumé also includes advancing to match play at the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur and medalist honors at the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur.

Earlier this summer, Howell’s name made headlines when he qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont. He first shot 64 in local qualifying, then authored a remarkable performance in Final Qualifying with two rounds of 63 — 18 birdies, 18 pars — to punch his ticket to the national championship. While he missed the cut at Oakmont, the experience steeled him for the bright spotlight that awaited in San Francisco.

The Olympic Club Breakthrough

Entering the 312-player U.S. Amateur field, Howell wasn’t favored. His 362nd WAGR position placed him well outside the top contenders. He barely survived stroke play, claiming the 63rd seed of the 64-player match play bracket. Yet once match play began, Howell turned into a different competitor. He edged past higher-ranked opponents with fearless shotmaking and a calm demeanor that belied his years.

Each match seemed to strengthen his confidence. By the quarterfinals, Howell had already eliminated John Daly II, one of the week’s headline names, in a tense battle that went to the final green. In the semifinals, he dispatched Eric Lee, the 29th-ranked amateur in the world and a standout at Oklahoma State. By the time he reached Herrington in the final, Howell was not just surviving — he was dictating.

What the Win Means

With the U.S. Amateur title, Howell earns exemptions into the 2026 Masters, the 2026 U.S. Open, and a likely invitation to the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. It also guarantees him a place in golf’s conversation for years to come. For the University of Georgia, where Howell has verbally committed to begin his college career, the victory brings another elite talent into the Bulldogs’ storied program. His sister Megan is already part of the Georgia program, and his mother is a UGA alumna — making this next chapter a family affair.

Beyond the exemptions, Howell’s win is a statement of intent: a reminder that golf’s next stars often emerge from the unlikeliest seeds. From 63rd in stroke play to lifting the Havemeyer Trophy, Howell’s run embodies everything that makes the U.S. Amateur a proving ground for champions.

At a Glance: Mason Howell

• Age: 18
• Hometown: Thomasville, Georgia
• WAGR: 362 (entering the U.S. Amateur)
• College: Committed to University of Georgia (2026)
• Major Appearances: 2025 U.S. Open (Oakmont)
• Career Highlights: 59 at Glen Arven CC; Winner of 2022 Future Masters (13–14), 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship, 2025 Georgia HS State Title
• Sponsors: Ping, Holderness & Bourne, FootJoy, Titleist

Final Score: Mason Howell def. Jackson Herrington, 7&6