Amateur Tracker — U.S. Open: Follow the Amateurs at Shinnecock

Cowan leads the amateurs after Round 1

Through one round at Shinnecock Hills, it’s a final qualifier — not a champion — setting the amateur pace. Ryder Cowan, the Oklahoma Sooner who poured in eight birdies on his second 18 just to survive a playoff at BallenIsles, carried that same nerve to Long Island and opened with a 2-under 68. It left him inside the top 10 overall and alone atop the low-amateur race, four clear of the men most expected to be there.

Because the headliners had a grind. World No. 1 Jackson Koivun and NCAA champion Preston Stout — the two presumed favorites for low-amateur honors — each signed for 2-over 72. They’re very much in it, but the opening day belonged to the qualifiers and the teenagers. Miles Russell, with Charlie Woods having looped for him through Monday’s playoff, was the best of the schoolboys at 72.

The Cowboy trio that gave this field its richest subplot sits bunched in the pack, with British Amateur champ Ethan Fang and U.S. Amateur semifinalist Eric Lee at 74. The future Georgia roommates split hard: Mason Howell (78) and Hamilton Coleman (81) both found Shinnecock’s opening test unforgiving. Three rounds remain, the cut looms Friday, and the low-amateur picture is wide open — Cowan has the lead and the story; the favorites have the pedigree.

Round 1 scores via the USGA. Low-amateur honors decided over 72 holes; Friday’s cut applies to the full field.

Survived a 3-for-2 playoff at BallenIsles to reach his first U.S. Open at 6 under. The Sooner caught fire when it mattered, pouring in eight birdies on his second 18 just to force his way into the playoff — then closing the deal.

A clutch par save on his 36th hole of the day spared a 6-for-1 playoff and sent the South Carolina sophomore to Shinnecock. After missing U.S. Amateur match play in a playoff last summer, Fleming made sure Monday left nothing to chance.

Came through a 3-for-2 playoff at The Lakes at 9 under. The Ohio State sophomore was one of two Buckeyes to advance through final qualifying, alongside Tour pro Neal Shipley.

The Tennessee freshman’s 11-under romp booked his ticket — and produced the line of the day: Kyes told Golf Channel afterward he “had no idea” the U.S. Open was the very next week.

A second-round 66 lifted the U.S. Amateur semifinalist into solo second at Sacramento. Lee gives Oklahoma State a remarkable three current players in the field, joining NCAA champ Preston Stout and British Amateur champ Ethan Fang.

Co-medalist at Gaston at a staggering 12 under — and he did it the hard way, winning both his local and final qualifiers. Days removed from his high-school graduation, the New York teen makes his major debut in just his second USGA event.

One of two amateur medalists on the day at 7 under. The Junior Ryder Cup winner and top-ranked player in the Class of 2027 opened with back-to-back bogeys — then made just two more bogeys over his final 36 holes.

Fresh off Auburn’s national-title run, Reilly finished third at Woodmont at 7 under. He was the Tigers’ leadoff man in both the NCAA semifinals and final, winning 7-and-6 and then 1 up.

Birdies at 17 and 18 erased any playoff drama. Robles had teammate J.P. Odland on the bag Monday — and says Odland will be there again at Shinnecock.

With Charlie Woods on the bag, the 17-year-old phenom survived a 3-for-2 playoff. Russell — the world’s top-ranked junior, youngest to make a Korn Ferry Tour cut, a U.S. Amateur quarterfinalist with six PGA Tour starts already — adds the U.S. Open to a staggering résumé.

Came through a 3-for-2 playoff to become the first player from Iceland ever to qualify for a U.S. Open. The world’s 18th-ranked amateur is just the second Icelandic golfer — man or woman — to reach any USGA championship.

His U.S. Junior Amateur title placed him on a list of champions that includes Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler. At Shinnecock he’ll be joined by future roommate and U.S. Amateur champ Mason Howell — two Georgia signees in one major field.

Fang earned his berth by winning The Amateur Championship, the premier British amateur title. He’s one of three Oklahoma State players in the field, alongside Preston Stout and Eric Lee.

The Mid-Amateur champion makes his second major start of the year after a Masters debut this spring — a reminder the amateur game runs well beyond college rosters.

His runner-up finish at the U.S. Amateur earned this spot. Like Holtz, he makes his second major start of 2026 after teeing it up at the Masters.

Jackson Koivun

McCormack Medal · World No. 1

Auburn

The world’s No. 1 amateur and one of the most decorated college players in recent memory. The Auburn star swept college golf’s player-of-the-year honors and arrives as the man to beat for low amateur — if not more.

Amateur golf’s most prestigious title, won as the third-youngest champion in U.S. Amateur history. Howell makes his second straight U.S. Open start — and will share a Georgia locker with Hamilton Coleman.

His Latin America Amateur title opened the door to Shinnecock, one of the region’s surest paths to the majors. Former college coach David Lynn will be on the bag.

College golf’s ultimate individual prize. The world’s No. 2 amateur, Stout is expected to duel Jackson Koivun for low-amateur honors — the third Cowboy in the field.

• 2026 U.S. Open Final Qualifying tracker — Golf’s Longest Day
• 2026 U.S. Open Local Qualifying — all 109 sites
• AmateurGolf.com World Amateur Rankings