SAN FRANCISCO — Georgia teenager Mason Howell concluded his productive summer time earlier than his junior yr of highschool by successful the US novice championship on the Olympic Membership on Sunday simply two months after competing at his first US Open.
Howell, who turned 18 in June, took an enormous lead at Tennessee teenager Jackson Herrington within the opening 18 holes, successful the 36-hole Finals 7 and 6, surpassing Tiger Woods and turning into the third youngest American novice champion thus far. Byeong Hun An, who received in 2009 on the age of 17, was younger, and Danny Lee, who received a month after his 18th birthday in 2008, was the one one.
“It is all confused collectively,” Howell mentioned of his emotions. “It has been such an important week. It is unbelievable to have my title subsequent to those different names on this trophy. It is unrealistic to be subsequent to somebody named Tiger.”
Howell received by par, halving the thirtieth gap and completed essentially the most loppy closing since Bryson Decanbaugh defeated Derekbirds 7 and 6 in 2015. He additionally received a spot in a Walker Cup match down the coast of Cypress Level in September.
“I at all times felt like I had it,” Howell mentioned of his play this summer time. “It is self-belief. I knew it was in me. I simply needed to stroll with confidence and I believe it results in good golf and staying constructive.”
This was the primary US novice closing to function two youngsters since Matt Fitzpatrick received Oliver Goth in 2013.
Howell received 11 holes. He additionally responded in spite of everything 4 holes he misplaced, successful the subsequent gap each time.
Howell went into the scene this yr when he certified for the US Open within the 63-63 spherical from the Atlanta part. He did not make a reduce at Oakmont, however used the expertise this week on the Olympic Membership.
He was one among 17 gamers who superior from the 20-man playoffs to win the match portion of the event, successful all six video games.
“To be trustworthy, I knew how good he was for a very long time,” mentioned his father, Robert Howell. “He had an unbelievable breakout summer time.”
Howell received 5 of the six holes on 9 entrance 9 of the opening 18 holes (together with Eagle No. 7) took a four-hole lead. He elevated his result in 5 on the par 5 sixteenth gap with a birdie as his regular putt saved Herrington at bay.
“That was one of many issues we actually wished to start out immediately was getting a lead by means of the 9,” Howell mentioned. “We received off to such a very good begin. We wished to step into the fuel, however we did not need to do something silly. We hit loads of the Greens’ centre and located it to have two putts which might be ok.”
Herrington returned inside 4 after closing the primary 18 with a birdie in par 5 18th place. Nonetheless, he defeated the primary three holes after lunch and did not actually threaten the remainder of the highway.
“He performed properly, and I did not play nice,” Herrington mentioned. “The unhappy half is, I used to be like that, however I discovered lots about myself.”
Howell is prepared for a junior highschool scholar that started this week earlier than beginning faculty on the College of Georgia in 2026.
“On the finish of the day, I’ve to take a seat within the classroom for the subsequent eight hours,” Howell mentioned. “I simply absorbed this and actually loved this with my family and friends.”
Herrington, 19, is about to start his sophomore season at a college in Tennessee.
That is the fourth US novice to be held on the Olympic Membership. Charles Coe (1958), Nathaniel Crosby (1981), and Colt Knost (2007) received others.
