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see also: John Daly II, View results for Western Amateur, Beverly Country Club
John Daly II’s rollercoaster week at Skokie ended just shy of the Sweet Sixteen cut.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
| Place | Player | Location | Pts | Scores |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | Keller, TX | 1500 | ||
| RU | Plano, TX | 1200 | ||
| S's | Noblesville, IN | 900 | ||
| S's | , New Zealand | 900 | ||
| Q's | Milford, CT | 700 |

Invitational event, and the most important tournament in American amateur golf outside of the U.S. Amateur. With a grueling schedule, it's quite possibly the hardest amateur tournament to win. 156 invited players come from across the globe to play on...
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