U.S. Amateur, a USGA Championship
Aug 10 – Aug 16, 2026
The U.S. Amateur is the most prestigious championship in amateur golf, dating to 1895. Two rounds of stroke play cut the field to 64, who then battle through a single-elimination match-play bracket to a 36-hole final.
Our coverage follows the championship end to end — qualifying around the country, the medalist race, every match-play upset, and the exemptions the winner earns into the Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open.
Latest coverage
340 stories in our archiveU.S. Amateur semifinalist Carter Loflin takes NCAA to court over fifth season
Fresh off a run to the U.S. Amateur semifinals, Carter Loflin has gone to court in an effort to play one more season of college golf for Georgia
August 25, 2026The Unlikely Road: How Jack Whaley Went From a Rotherham Driving Range to U.S. Amateur Champion
On Wednesday morning, he was one of 16 players scrapping for 11 spots in a playoff. On Sunday evening, he was holding the Havemeyer Trophy. Jack Whaley's path to Merion — and to the biggest title in amateur golf — was never supposed to look like this.
August 17, 2026Jay Leng Jr. vs. Jack Whaley: The Complete Story Behind the 2026 U.S. Amateur Final at Merion
A Stanford player who was 2-6-2 in college match play and an Englishman who was in the NAIA 15 months ago meet for the Havemeyer Trophy. Here's everything you missed — and everything at stake.
August 16, 2026FINAL RESULTS: 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion
CHAMPION: Jack Whaley erased a 2-down halftime deficit and defeated Jay Leng Jr. 4 and 3 to win the 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion. The No. 60 seed is the first Florida State player to lift the Havemeyer Trophy.
August 15, 2026The Numbers Behind the Final Four: Who Wins the U.S. Amateur at Merion
Jay Leng Jr. has played 12 fewer holes than anyone else left and beaten two top-10 seeds. Jack Whaley is following a path Merion has seen before. Our data-driven read on Saturday's semifinals — and who lifts the Havemeyer.
August 15, 2026Meet the Eight: The 2026 U.S. Amateur Quarterfinalists at Merion
The semifinals are set at Merion: Carter Loflin meets Jack Whaley, Jay Leng Jr. faces Logan Reilly, and not one of the four is a top-six seed.
August 14, 2026Inside Tyler Watts’ Golf Bag as the 2025 Elite Amateur Champion Makes a Run at the 2026 U.S. Amateur.
What's in the Bag: Tyler Watts' Rise From Elite Amateur Champion to U.S. Amateur Contender
August 13, 2026U.S. Amateur Round of 64: Ryder Cowan Ousts Miles Russell, Medalist Josh Ryan Falls at Merion
World No. 8 Ryder Cowan holed a 20-foot pitch at the 17th to beat World No. 4 Miles Russell in the day's marquee match, while medalist Josh Ryan became the first top qualifier since 2024 to lose in the opening round.
August 13, 2026Josh Ryan Earns U.S. Amateur Medalist Honors at Merion as Preston Stout Misses the Cut
The Liberty senior from Norristown, Pa., closed with a 65 at Merion to finish stroke play at 8-under 132 and take the No. 1 seed — while World No. 1 Preston Stout, the medalist here a year ago, missed match play at 146.
August 12, 2026U.S. Amateur Round 1: Lisle and Koelle share lead at Merion as weather bites; favorites left chasing
William Lisle and Finn Koelle opened with 5-under 65s to share the lead as gnarly rough defined Day 1; darkness left 39 players to finish Tuesday, when Preston Stout, Ethan Fang and Mason Howell must climb toward the cut.
August 11, 2026Past U.S. Amateur Champions: Where Are They Now?
From Viktor Hovland and Bryson DeChambeau to a champion who quit the game for five years — tracking the careers of the last 15 years of U.S. Amateur winners.
August 10, 2026How to Watch the 2026 U.S. Amateur at Merion: TV Schedule, Streaming Times, and Live Coverage
Everything you need to follow the 126th U.S. Amateur — broadcast windows, streaming options, the daily schedule across two courses, and where to find live scoring all week.
August 10, 2026U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying Complete: 130 Punch Tickets to Merion — Every Site, Every Qualifier
It ended the way it began: great rounds that weren't enough. Four players shot 5-under 67 at Kingwood and only two got spots. Final Qualifying is complete — 130 players advanced through 19 sites, and the field for Merion is set. Every qualifier, every site, one page.
July 23, 2026Columbus Amateur: Match play set for Tuesday
This year's event is being played at the second-longest course in Ohio, Northstar Golf Club
July 6, 2026Playing Notes: South Florida's Dutchman's Pipe, host of U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying
June 26, 2026U.S. Amateur Qualifying, By the Numbers: What It Actually Takes to Get Through
Two 18-hole rounds, 312 spots, and a brutal lottery — what our data says about beating it.
June 26, 20262026 U.S. Amateur Qualifying: Complete Guide, Sites & Schedule
Your complete 2026 U.S. Amateur qualifying guide: all 67 sites, the two-stage format, dates, live scoring, and the road to Merion in August.
June 22, 2026Rich Wills closes with 66 to win North Carolina Amateur and secure U.S. Amateur spot
The Clemson junior birdied two of his final three holes to secure a two-shot victory, and will be heading to Merion in August
June 22, 2026Rich Wills closes with 66 to win North Carolina Amateur, earn U.S. Amateur spot
The Clemson sophomore emerged from a crowded final-round leaderboard with a 6-under 66 to win by two shots at Bermuda Run
June 20, 2026Byungho Lee Claims Texas Amateur title, earns U.S. Amateur berth
The Pepperdine standout closed with a final round 6-under 66 at Spanish Oaks in Austin, pulling away on the back nine with an eagle-birdie run
June 19, 2026Brody Leid claims Arizona Amateur title, earns U.S. Amateur Exemption
The Phoenix native's season reached another milestone on Saturday, and he's booking a ticket to Merion for August
June 14, 20262026 U.S. Amateur Local Qualifying Roundup
See which players have made it to the next stage, during the USGA's relatively new two-step qualifying process
June 10, 20262026 U.S. Amateur Qualifying: Dates, Sites, Registration Info, and How to Enter
Registration for the 2026 U.S. Amateur is opening soon. Explore every local and final qualifying site
April 30, 2026How to qualify for the 2026 U.S. Amateur at Merion
A data-driven guide to the scores, sites, and strategy needed to reach Merion.
April 11, 2026Tiger Woods joins golf’s immortals as USGA renames U.S. Amateur Awards
The Tiger Woods Medal and Trophy will now crown U.S. Amateur and Junior Amateur champions, placing him alongside Nicklaus, Wright
February 28, 2026Mason Howell Walk-Off Eagle: U.S. Amateur Champion Shines at Cypress Point Walker Cup
Fresh off his U.S. Amateur triumph, Howell has delivered two full points at Cypress Point—highlighted by a walk-off eagle
September 7, 2025Mason Howell’s Breakthrough: Teen Sensation Wins the 2025 U.S. Amateur
Thomasville, Ga., 18-year-old caps a breakout week with a commanding win over Jackson Herrington in the 36-hole final
August 17, 2025FINAL RESULTS: 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club
From the 63rd seed to U.S. Amateur champion, 18-year-old Mason Howell stunned The Olympic Club with a dominant 7&6 win
August 17, 2025U.S. Amateur Final: Jackson Herrington vs. Mason Howell at Olympic Club
Herrington and Howell meet in the U.S. Amateur final at Olympic Club, both bound for Augusta.
August 16, 2025U.S. Amateur Final Four: Who Will Conquer Olympic Club?
Teen phenoms and seasoned contenders collide as the U.S. Amateur nears its dramatic finish.
August 15, 2025John Daly II Advances to U.S. Amateur Round of 32 at The Olympic Club
The Arkansas Razorback rides a strong finish in stroke play and a tight opening match win to keep his U.S. Amateur hopes alive.
August 13, 2025Preston Stout Claims U.S. Amateur Medalist Honors at Olympic Club
A sizzling 65 at Olympic Club secured medalist honors at 8-under and the top seed in match play
August 12, 2025How to Watch the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship Live
Learn how to watch the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship live from The Olympic Club, with full TV schedule & streaming options
August 10, 2025Top 10 Things to Know — 125th U.S. Amateur
From record-breaking entries to Walker Cup hopefuls, here are 10 storylines you need to know before the 125th U.S. Amateur
August 10, 20252025 U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying Results and Sites
Track all 2025 U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying results, dates, courses, and live scores in one place with our complete schedule
July 26, 20252025 U.S. Amateur Qualifying Results and Tracker
Thousands of top amateurs are chasing a spot at The Olympic Club. Track results, cutlines, and rising stars
July 8, 2025Tickets now available for 125th U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club
You can walk the ropes from August 11 to 17 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., with the top amateurs in the world
May 8, 20252024 U.S. Amateur champion Jose Ballester hopes to join Spain’s Masters legacy
Mentored by Sergio. Raised by Olympians. Now José Luis Ballester is ready for Augusta
April 7, 2025U.S. Amateur back on top: Jose Luis Ballester secures victory at Georgia Cup
The 2024 U.S. Amateur champion defeated the 2024 British Amateur champion Jacob Skov Olesen on the 17th hole
April 6, 2025ENTRIES OPEN: 2025 U.S. Amateur Local Qualifying
The journey to a spot in the 2026 U.S. Open and 2026 Masters Tournament begins with U.S. Amateur local qualifying
March 26, 2025
Showing the 40 most recent of 340 stories.
U.S. Amateur — frequently asked
What does winning the U.S. Amateur get you?
The champion (and usually the runner-up, if still an amateur) earns invitations to the Masters, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship the following year — the biggest prize in the amateur game.
What is the U.S. Amateur format?
36 holes of stroke play trim the field to the low 64, who then play single-elimination match play. The final is contested over 36 holes.
How do you qualify for the U.S. Amateur?
Players need a Handicap Index of 2.4 or lower and earn a spot through 18-hole qualifying at sites nationwide, unless they hold an exemption (recent finalists, ranked players, other USGA champions).