Qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open will easily go down as “one of the greatest moments” of 17-year-old Mason Howell’s life.
The high school junior earned the right to compete in the third major of the season after shooting 18-under par at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta on Monday, known as “Golf’s Longest Day,” when he participated in one of several qualifying events across the country.
“It was a roller coaster all day,” the Georgia-based teen said after shooting a pair of 63s in two rounds. “I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous, but just hugging my mom and my dad walking off the 18th green is just a feeling I don’t know if I’ll feel again, but that was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
Ranked No. 8 in the American Junior Golf Association rankings for boys, Howell will eventually play collegiately at the University of Georgia upon graduating from Brookwood High School in 2026, according to USA Today.
When Howell competes at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania next week for his first major championship start, he’ll be joined by Jackson Buchanan, with whom he tied for first Monday, Jackson Koivun, Tyler Weaver and Will Chandler, who rounded out the top five in the qualifier and punched their tickets to the U.S. Open.
Although Monday was a day Howell will certainly never forget, it was a heartbreaking afternoon for six-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa, who failed to qualify for the U.S. Open after a five-man playoff while slugging his own clubs for 36 holes.
Cameron Young locked up the final spot in the qualifier at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Columbus, Ohio, after making birdie on the first playoff hole.
Bryson DeChambeau is the defending U.S. Open champion after edging out rival Rory McIlroy at Pinehurst No. 2 last year.
McIlroy later got his revenge at Augusta National in April when he won his first Masters to complete golf’s grand slam.
The 2025 U.S. Open begins June 12.