OAKMONT, Pa. — At just 17 years old, Mason Howell is the youngest competitor in the 156-player field at the 125th U.S. Open, taking place this week at Oakmont Country Club.
Howell`s dedication to golf began early. His father, Robb Howell, recalls that Mason, at age 4, chose to dress as 1920s golf icon Bobby Jones for Halloween, complete with knickers and a flat cap, rather than a modern star. “It really is all he wants to do,” Robb Howell said. “He`d rather do this than eat or sleep, certainly rather do this than go to school. He wants to play golf.”
For Mason, qualifying for one of golf`s major championships validates years of effort. “It kind of just shows that the hard work does pay off,” Howell commented. “All the days in the middle of the summer down in the south Georgia heat, sweating, just beating balls and trying to make putts, and just a lot of hard work. This experience is unlike something I`ve ever done before, so it`s absolutely crazy.”
Howell earned his spot in the U.S. Open field through impressive performances in qualifying. On May 8, he was a co-medalist at the local qualifier in Gainesville, Florida, shooting a 7-under 64. He then dominated the final qualifying stage at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, posting two rounds of 9-under 63 without a single bogey over 36 holes. He shared medalist honors with fellow amateur Jackson Buchanan, a 2024 U.S. Amateur semifinalist.
The final qualifying field included experienced professionals and major champions, making Howell`s performance even more remarkable. His father noted, “I`m surprised he did it in that environment, but I`m not surprised he can make that many birdies. I`ve seen him do that a bunch. I`ve seen him shoot 60 or 61 at our course several times.” In fact, Howell once carded a stunning 13-under 59 at his home course, Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, Georgia, when he was just 14 years old.
Golf became Howell`s sole focus at age 12, after he stopped playing tennis and baseball. Given his first set of clubs at five and competing in his first tournament a year later, his talent was evident early. He played on the varsity golf team as a sixth grader at Maclay School in Tallahassee, Florida, often surprising older opponents. Since eighth grade, he`s competed for Brookwood School in Thomasville, helping them win four state titles in five years and securing the individual state championship himself this past April after a playoff.
Before U.S. Open qualifying, Howell was ranked 470th in the World Amateur Ranking. His junior career includes victories at prestigious events like the 2022 Future Masters (an event won by past Masters champions Bubba Watson and Scottie Scheffler) and the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championships, along with advancing to match play in the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur.
Brookwood School coach Jimmy Gillam, who is caddying for Howell at Oakmont, describes him as an “unbelievable talent” who “works his ass off.” Gillam, a former mini-tour player and winner of the 2018 Western Pennsylvania Open at Oakmont, recounted an anecdote about Howell`s eagerness for improvement, wanting a chipping lesson on a cold, frosty morning. Gillam considers Howell “one of the best putters I’ve ever seen” and notes his impressive distance, carrying drives around 305 yards.
Playing Oakmont, known for its difficulty, will be a significant test. Gillam sees it as an opportunity for Mason to learn disciplined golf, warning that being overly aggressive will be penalized. “It`s like playing a video game,” Gillam said about working with Howell, noting how quickly he picks things up.
Howell had practice rounds with PGA Tour veteran Harris English, who has connections to Howell`s hometown and home course. English was impressed, stating, “He`s way better than I was at 17. I couldn`t imagine playing this event going into your senior year of high school. He`s got all the tools: He`s long, he can flight it, seems like a good wedge player.” English, an alumnus of the University of Georgia, offered advice to Howell, who has committed to play for UGA in 2026, following his sister and mother`s alma mater ties (his father attended UGA Law). English encouraged him to focus on gaining experience, getting comfortable, soaking it in, and not being too hard on himself.
Howell`s personal goals for the U.S. Open include making the 36-hole cut and winning low amateur honors, a distinction previously achieved by notable players like Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Viktor Hovland. English acknowledges Howell`s competitive spirit but also emphasizes the learning experience the challenging Oakmont course provides. Reigning U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau also offered simple advice: “Just be grateful.” DeChambeau reflected on his own experience, noting that at 17 he was so focused on being the best that he sometimes lost sight of the incredible experience itself.
If Howell makes the cut, he would be the third-youngest player to do so in the U.S. Open since World War II, joining Beau Hossler (2012) and Michael Thorbjornsen (2019). Howell will turn 18 on June 28.
“It`s pretty cool for a parent to watch a kid`s dream come true, you know?” Robb Howell shared. “That`s what my wife and I are getting to do right now in front of our eyes, which is pretty special. All he`s ever wanted to do was play golf, and he`s wanted to be a professional golfer his whole life.”
