Mason Howell, an 18-year-old from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, pulled one of the biggest upsets in U.S. Amateur history. His joyous achievement on Sunday at The Olympic Club was exactly that—a feat. This victory makes him the youngest winner of the event since 2009. Howell’s impressive performance solidifies his status as a rising star in the world of golf, especially as he prepares to begin his senior year of high school.
Regardless, Howell has certainly caused a stir in the golfing world. Only two months prior to this win, he fought through qualifiers to make his debut at the U.S. Open. He set records with phenomenal rounds of 63-63 at the Atlanta sectional. This historic performance earned him a direct qualification spot to the Olympic trials, highlighting his promise on a national stage. His recent pedigree has captured imaginations and laid the foundations for his success at all levels of the competitive game.
Over the course of the U.S. Amateur, Howell exhibited an air of confidence and touch beyond his years. The outcome propelled him into the match play portion of the tournament. He was one of the 17 players to win in an exciting 20-man playoff. He stayed perfect during the match play rounds, winning all six matches to power past some of the top players in the game.
In the title bout, Howell took on Jackson Herrington and wasted no time asserting his dominance from start to finish. A key turning point burst forth on the par-5 16th hole. Howell capitalized and extended his advantage to five shots with an electrifying birdie. His dependably steady putting was key for him to keep Herrington at arm’s length, as he made numerous pivotal putts throughout the match.
“Honestly, I have known how good he is for a long time,” said Robert Howell, Mason’s father and coach.
As he reflected on his strategy, Howell noted, “I knew if I hit it to a lot of the center of the greens and two-putted that would be good enough.” This was a masterstroke on his part, revealing his tactical sense of the game, built from decades of practice and competition.
Despite his recent achievements, Howell remains grounded. He was very aware of the delicate balancing act he has to juggle between his burgeoning golf career and his stated academic priorities. “At the end of the day, I still have to go sit in a classroom for eight hours these coming months,” he remarked.
Howell’s victory earns him a place in the history books. It secures him a place in the forthcoming Walker Cup ties at Cypress Point this September. This opportunity provides him with yet another platform to show off his skills on an international stage.
His run this summer has been awesome, so having this as the final coup de gras would be fantastic in winning U.S. Amateur. More importantly, perhaps, it has shined a spotlight on his commitment and work ethic. As he prepares for his senior year, Howell’s focus will undoubtedly shift between school and continuing to develop his golf skills.
Jackson Herrington, his opponent in the finals, recognized Howell’s talent, stating, “He played good, and I didn’t play great.” This important acknowledgment forms the context and scope of the stiff competition Howell went up against — and beat — throughout the tournament.
And as Mason Howell moves forward on his path to the PGA Tour, that self belief is surely going to be one of the reasons why. “I just sort of knew and felt like I had it in the bag,” he said, looking back on his experience to date.
Leave a Reply