US Open: High School Junior Shoots 63-63 to Earn Spot at Oakmont
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
In one of the biggest upsets of the so called 'Golf's Longest Day', 17-year-old Mason Howell won the U.S. Open final qualifier at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Georgia. The high school junior secured his spot at the Oakmont Country Club in two weeks with consecutive scores of 63.
Howell, a native of Thomasville, Georgia, tied for medalist honors with Jackson Buchanan, who is just starting his professional career after a successful stint with the Illinois Fighting Illini in college golf.
If you think this is the highlight of Howell's young career, you're right. He didn't hide his emotions at the end of the 36-hole event.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Howell told Golf Channel. "Hugging my mom and my dad walking off 18 green, just a feeling I don't know I'll feel again, but that was one of the greatest moments of my life."
"That was one of the greatest moments of my life."
Nobody better than mom and dad to celebrate a trip to the U.S. Open! pic.twitter.com/RbkGqPD93Q — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 2, 2025
Howell and Buchanan earned two of the five spots awarded in the final qualifier in Atlanta. The other three tickets went to the Florida State Seminoles star Tyler Weaver, to Jackson Koivun, the world's second-ranked amateur, and PGA Tour player Will Chandler, who were all tied at 11-under.
Several experienced players were present at the Piedmont Driving Club but were unable to advance. Among the participants were two-time major champion Zach Johnson, Hayden Buckley, Greyson Sigg, and Christo Lamprecht.
Mason Howell is not an unknown name in the golf world. The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) recognizes him as the eighth top-ranked junior golfer in the country. However, it's worth noting that this ranking only considers 10 of the tournaments he has played from 2024 to the present.
Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23,...
Mason Howell of the United States plays a shot on the 16th hole during day two of the 76th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship on the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club on July 23, 2024 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. More
Getty Images/Raj Mehta
His key results include winning the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship and finishing second in the 2024 Wyndham Invitational.
His other impressive results include a 5th-place finish in the 2024 Junior Players Championship, a 7th-place tie in the 2025 Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship, and an 8th-place tie in the 2025 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley.
While most of the events he has participated in are in the junior category, he also earns points toward the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) through them. Howell currently holds the 496th spot in that ranking.
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