⛳ John Daly II Battles but Misses Sweet Sixteen Cut at 123rd Western Amateur

GLENCOE, IL (August 1, 2025) — Fresh off his breakthrough win at the 119th Southern Amateur, John Daly II arrived at Skokie Country Club with momentum and high hopes for the 123rd Western Amateur. Despite flashes of brilliance over four grueling rounds, Daly II’s bid for a spot in the Sweet Sixteen fell short, as he finished with a 1-over total of 287, just outside the cut line.

🔥 A Strong Start, But Inconsistent Finishes

The University of Arkansas standout opened the week with a steady 71 on Tuesday, highlighted by four birdies against three bogeys. Wednesday brought his best round of the championship, a composed 69 that pushed him into early contention at 2-under.

But Thursday’s 36-hole marathon proved to be a different challenge. Starting with a 75 in the morning session, Daly II was unable to regain his momentum in the afternoon, carding a 72. The combined effort left him outside the top-16, missing out on match play despite being just a few strokes away from advancing.

📋 Final Round-by-Round Scores

• Round 1: 71 (+1) — Solid start with key par saves late.
• Round 2: 69 (-1) — Four birdies, bogey-free back nine for his lowest score of the week.
• Round 3: 75 (+5) — Trouble on the par-5 5th and 13th halted momentum.
• Round 4: 72 (+2) — Birdies on 5 and 13 weren’t enough to offset late bogeys.
• Total: 287 (+7) — Cut line finished at 279 (-1).

🏆 Southern Amateur Momentum Meets Western Am Reality

Daly II entered Skokie riding high from his five-shot win at the Southern Amateur just 10 days prior, a victory that firmly placed him on the national radar and boosted his World Amateur Golf Ranking. The Western Amateur, widely regarded as one of the most grueling tests in the game, proved to be another step in his development as he looks toward future USGA and Walker Cup opportunities.

“It’s frustrating to miss the cut, especially after a good start,” Daly II said after his final round. “But this tournament teaches you a lot. You can’t let up for a second.”

📺 What’s Next for Daly II?

• He’ll head next to U.S. Amateur Final Qualifying with renewed focus, hoping to carry lessons learned from Skokie.
• Potential Walker Cup discussions are still in play, with his Southern Am win keeping him on the radar.
• Further exemptions into elite amateur events await as he builds on his breakout summer.

🔎 Event Context

The Western Amateur’s cut to 16 players is historically one of the toughest in golf, with names like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Justin Leonard, Phil Mickelson, and Scottie Scheffler in its past champion’s roster. Daly II’s week was another example of just how razor-thin the margins are at this level.

Despite the disappointment, Daly II continues to carve out his own identity in the amateur game. With elite distance, a fearless approach, and a name that resonates through golf history, this summer’s run signals just the beginning of a promising path ahead.