Georgia Teen Mason Howell Shoots 18-Under to Earn Oakmont Spot

ATLANTA — While most 17-year-olds are worried about prom and graduation plans, Mason Howell was busy making golf history on Monday at Piedmont Driving Club.

The high school junior from Thomasville, Georgia, delivered one of the most impressive performances in U.S. Open qualifying history, shooting matching rounds of 63 to finish at 18-under par and earn his ticket to Oakmont Country Club. Even more remarkable? He didn’t record a single bogey during the grueling 36-hole qualifier known as “Golf’s Longest Day.”

“That was one of the greatest moments of my life,” Howell said after completing his bogey-free masterpiece in front of several PGA Tour professionals, including 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Perfect Day Under Pressure

Howell’s flawless performance left even seasoned professionals shaking their heads in amazement. The teenager capped his extraordinary day with a birdie on the par-5 18th hole to tie for first place with Jackson Buchanan, securing one of just five qualifying spots available in the Atlanta sectional.

The achievement is particularly stunning considering Howell entered Monday ranked 496th among amateur golfers worldwide. His meteoric rise to U.S. Open qualification represents one of the most dramatic leaps in recent qualifying history.

Rising Star Profile

Howell, who won’t graduate from Brookwood High School until 2026, has already committed to play college golf at the University of Georgia. His golf journey began early – he first picked up a club at age three and started competing in tournaments by age six.

“Tournament golf has been a big part of my life,” Howell said in a previous interview. “I would encourage kids to start playing golf and get into it because it’s one of the greatest sports you can play.”

The young Georgian has been building toward this moment throughout his amateur career. He’s currently ranked eighth in the American Junior Golf Association standings and helped his high school team capture the Georgia state championship last month, where he earned low medalist honors in a playoff.

His amateur résumé includes a victory at the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championship and the Future Masters Tournament in Alabama, along with 11 top-10 finishes in national junior events.

Next Stop: Oakmont

Now Howell will take his game to one of golf’s most challenging venues when the U.S. Open arrives at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. The course, known for its brutal difficulty and lightning-fast greens, will present an entirely different challenge than Monday’s qualifier.

For a teenager who hasn’t even finished high school yet, competing against the world’s best golfers at a major championship represents the ultimate test. But if Monday’s performance is any indication, Howell has the game and the composure to handle whatever Oakmont throws his way.

The 2025 U.S. Open just got a lot more interesting with the addition of golf’s newest teenage sensation.