U.S. Amateur Storms Historic Merion: Complete Insider Guide
The 126th U.S. Amateur Championship: Your Complete Guide
The best amateur golfers in the country are heading to the Philadelphia area this week for one of golf’s most historic tournaments. Here’s everything you need to know in simple terms.
What Is the U.S. Amateur?
Think of it like the "Little League World Series" of golf—but for grown-ups who don’t get paid to play.
- Oldest USGA tournament – Started way back in 1895
- Super prestigious – Past winners include legends like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Bobby Jones
- Bobby Jones actually won here at Merion in 1930 on his way to winning the "Grand Slam" (all four major tournaments in one year)
Who Can Play?
- Amateur golfers only (no professionals allowed)
- Must have a Handicap Index of 0.4 or better (that means they’re really good)
- 312 players made the cut from 5,111 entries through a two-stage qualifying process
Who’s Playing This Year?
The Superstars
| Player | Rank | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Preston Stout | #1 | Current NCAA individual champion (Oklahoma State) |
| Tyler Watts | #3 | One of the top-ranked amateurs in the world |
| Miles Russell | #4 | Just missed winning the U.S. Junior Amateur at Saucon Valley |
| Mason Howell | Defending Champ | Won last year at age 18—third youngest ever! |
By the Numbers
- 47 of the top 50 ranked amateurs are here
- 45 states and 36 countries represented
- 12 past USGA champions and 13 runners-up in the field
- Mike McCoy, 63, is the only player who also competed in the 2005 U.S. Amateur at Merion
Local Heroes: Pennsylvania Players to Watch
10 players from Pennsylvania are competing, many from right here in the Philly area:
Drue Nicholas, 23 (Egg Harbor Township) – The only Merion member in the field. Just won his second straight Philadelphia Open and became only the second player ever to sweep the Philadelphia Open and Philadelphia Amateur in the same year!
Other Local Competitors:
- Nicholas Gross, 19 – Downingtown
- Hunter Stetson, 20 – Newtown Square
- Charlie Barrickman, 18 – West Chester
- Michael Lugiano, 20 – Jackson Township
- Patrick Isztwan, 23 – Huntingdon Valley
- Joshua Ryan, 22 – Norristown
How Does the Tournament Work?
It’s Two Tournaments in One!
Phase 1: Stroke Play (Monday & Tuesday)
- Everyone plays 36 holes total (18 holes each day)
- Two different courses:
- Merion Golf Club (East Course) – Historic, tricky, famous
- Philadelphia Country Club – Co-host for the first two days
- Only the top 64 scores advance to the weekend
Phase 2: Match Play (Wednesday–Sunday)
Match play is different! Instead of counting total strokes, you play head-to-head against one opponent. Win the hole, you get a point. Most points after 18 holes wins the match.
| Day | Round | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Round of 64 | 18 holes |
| Thursday | Round of 32 → Round of 16 | 18 holes each |
| Friday | Quarterfinals | 18 holes |
| Saturday | Semifinals | 18 holes |
| Sunday | Championship Final | 36 holes! |
The champion must win SIX straight matches to hoist the trophy.
How Can I Watch?
TV Schedule (All Times ET)
| Day | Round | Channel | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Round of 64 | Peacock / NBCSN | 3:00–6:00 PM |
| Thursday | Round of 16 | Peacock / NBCSN | 3:00–6:00 PM |
| Friday | Quarterfinals | Peacock / NBCSN | 3:00–6:00 PM |
| Saturday | Semifinals | Peacock | 3:00–4:00 PM |
| NBC | 4:00–6:00 PM | ||
| Sunday | Championship (First 18) | Peacock | 3:00–4:00 PM |
| Championship (Final 18) | NBC | 4:00–6:00 PM |
Want to go in person? Tickets are available at the USGA website.
What Does the Winner Get?
Aside from bragging rights forever…
- The Havemeyer Trophy (one of the coolest trophies in sports)
- Gold medal
- Exemptions into major tournaments (as long as they stay amateur):
- Next 10 U.S. Amateurs (automatic entry)
- 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach
- 2027 Open Championship at St. Andrews, Scotland
- Likely invitation to the 2027 Masters at Augusta National
Why Is Merion So Special?
A Golf Cathedral
- Opened in 1912 – Designed by Hugh Wilson
- Hosted 20 USGA championships (more than almost anywhere)
- Famous winners here:
- Ben Hogan – 1950 U.S. Open (after surviving a near-fatal car crash)
- Justin Rose – 2013 U.S. Open
- Edoardo Molinari – 2005 U.S. Amateur (beat Dillon Dougherty)
The U.S. Amateur Has Been Here 5 Times Before
This is the 6th time Merion hosts the U.S. Amateur.
Future Big Events Already Booked:
- 2030 U.S. Open
- 2034 U.S. Women’s Open
Summary
| What | When | Where | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126th U.S. Amateur | Mon–Sun this week | Merion Golf Club (Ardmore) + Philadelphia Country Club (Gladwyne) | 312 top amateurs, 2 days stroke play → 6 days match play |
| Defending Champ | Mason Howell (won at 18 last year) | ||
| Top Local | Drue Nicholas (Merion member, Philly Open champ) | ||
| Watch On | Peacock & NBC | Wed–Sun afternoons | |
| Winner Gets | Havemeyer Trophy + exemptions to U.S. Open, British Open, likely Masters |
FAQ
What’s the difference between stroke play and match play?
Stroke play = Count every shot over 18 holes. Lowest total wins.
Match play = Play one opponent, hole by hole. Win more holes than them, you win the match. It’s like tennis—you can lose a hole badly but it only counts as one point.
What is a "Handicap Index of 0.4 or better"?
A handicap measures how good a golfer is relative to par. 0.4 means they typically shoot less than half a stroke over par on a standard course. For context, most weekend golfers are 15–25. These players are elite.
Can the winner turn pro and still keep the exemptions?
No. The exemptions to the U.S. Open, British Open, and Masters only apply if they remain an amateur. If they turn pro, they lose those spots (though they’d likely get sponsor exemptions anyway).
Why are there two courses for the first two days?
With 312 players, you can’t fit everyone on one course in a reasonable time. Splitting between Merion and Philadelphia Country Club keeps the tournament moving. After the cut to 64, everyone plays at Merion.
Has anyone from Philadelphia ever won the U.S. Amateur?
Not recently—but Bobby Jones (the greatest amateur ever) won at Merion in 1930. This week, Drue Nicholas (a Merion member) has the best local shot in decades.
Enjoy the tournament! Whether you’re watching on TV or walking the fairways at Merion, you’re witnessing the future stars of golf.
