Mason Howell might not be a household name yet but the 17-year-old high school student made waves by qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open. Howell shot back-to-back 63s without bogeying a hole at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, cementing his spot in the field. Now, he gets to test his game against the best while playing at one of the hardest golf courses in the world at Oakmont Country Club.
Howell Is Looking To Become The Third 17-Year-Old To Make The Cut
Still a junior in high school, Howell will be the youngest player to tee off on Thursday and Friday and will be looking to become just the third 17-year-old ever to make the cut at the U.S. Open. Beau Hossler was the first to do it in 2012 and Michael Thorbjornsen accomplished the feat in 2019. In doing so, he would win low amateur honors, ing the likes of Jack Niklaus, Phil Mickelson, and others.
Howell is no stranger to playing against older competition. According to his father, he competed against high school varsity players when he was just 12 years old at the Maclay School in Tallahassee, Florida. At age 14, he shot a 13-under 59 at Glen Arven Country Club in his hometown of Thomasville, Georgia.
Howell’s Amateur Ranking Will Be On The Rise After The U.S. Open
Prior to the U.S. Open, Howell was ranked as the No. 470th amateur but has already experienced plenty of success. He claimed the individual state title in Georgia and his Brookwood High golf team recently captured its fourth state title in five years.
In 2022, he won his age division at the 2022 Future Masters in Dothan, Alabama, the same tournament future Masters champions Bubba Watson and Scottie Scheffler won as juniors. He also finished first in the 2023 Billy Horschel Junior Championships and advanced to match play in the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur.
Howell has committed to playing golf at the University of Georgia in 2026 and is currently ranked No. 8 in the AJGA rankings.
English, DeChambeau Offer Praise And Advice For The 17-Year-Old
Earlier this week, the 17-year-old played his practice rounds with Harry English, who spent part of his childhood in Howell’s hometown of Thomasville.
“He’s way better than I was at 17,” English told ESPN. “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.”
Bryson DeChambeau, who played in the U.S. Open at age 21, offered Howell some advice at his press conference upon arriving at Oakmont. “Just be grateful,” DeChambeau told reporters. “I was so focused when I was 17 on being the best player I could be, I lost sight of how cool it was to be traveling the country at that time and playing golf.”
Howell will be turning 18 later this month (June 28), making this a nice early birthday present for him and the entire family.
