High schooler Mason Howell had a 'fun day' playing in his first U.S. Open
The beauty of golf's U.S. Open Championship is that anyone can play their way into this major through qualifying, regardless of age. That's how Mason Howell wound up becoming the youngest member of the 2025 field at Oakmont Country Club.
Howell won't turn 18 until later this month, but the rising high school senior and University of Georgia commit tested himself alongside the world's best at the 125th U.S. Open beginning with Thursday's first round. His presence on the course this week, which included practice rounds with Georgia alum Harris English, is a bit of a surprise.
Howell, who lives in Thomasville, Georgia, is currently ranked No. 470 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, but it is perhaps due to go up after his success in U.S. Open qualifying. Howell shot a 7-under 64 last month to get through local U.S. Open qualifying at Hawkstone Country Club in Gainesville, Georgia. He then shot 18 under over 36 holes in the final U.S. Open qualifying at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, outperforming several PGA Tour veterans trying to make the U.S. Open field.
His reward was a coveted spot in what many consider the toughest major on the golf calendar. Howell had a Thursday morning tee time starting from Oakmont's 10th hole to begin the first round and played in a group with Joakim Langergren and Chris Gotterup.
Howell was 2 over through nine holes and just one shot back of being the low amateur. He was hitting it well off the tee and his iron play has been mostly solid. He then parred three of his first four holes on the front.
But it wasn't a pretty finish for Mason Howell as he finished his first round on Oakmont's fearsome front nine. Like many golfers (including Rory McIlroy) Howell struggled with this stretch of the course and had four bogeys over his final five holes. He finished Thursday at 7 over on the leaderboard and will have some work to do during Friday's second round to make the cut. He's slated to tee off at 2:31 p.m. ET.
"It was a fun day. Fun playing in front of the crowd," he said after his round. "I wish I played a little bit better. But it's just an experience I need to soak up so I can look forward to playing some more in the future."
The 17-year-old was asked about how it felt to make this field.
"It's definitely special. There's not obviously many people that have done it before. To be in that small list of names that have been in that category, it's super special, and definitely a moment that I'll remember forever," he said, later stating the obvious. "High school golf and major championships are just a little bit different."
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