(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Scottie Scheffler Dominates Again at BMW Championship, Mason Howell Shines at U.S. Amateur
Every time Scottie Scheffler wins, he not only adds another trophy to his collection but also indirectly helps other golfers. With his fifth victory of the season at the BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland, Scheffler once again proved why he’s among the best in the game. His impressive two-stroke comeback win over Robert MacIntyre, who led after 18, 36, and 54 holes, secured his place at the 2026 Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
Scheffler’s victory at Caves Valley ensures that his qualification spots for the majors are already locked in. While it may seem like he’s filling up the entry spots for other golfers, his win actually expands the opportunity for those on the bubble to earn their way into the majors through the usual qualifiers. Despite this, Scheffler’s already atop the FedExCup standings, and with the TOUR Championship set to begin, he’s looking to defend his FedExCup title—an impressive feat if he can pull it off, considering he’s aiming to become the first to successfully defend this prestigious title.
Later in the day, Mason Howell made headlines at the 125th U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Howell, at just 18 years old, defeated Jackson Herrington with a dominant 7 and 6 victory in the 36-hole championship match. Howell’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he built a commanding 4-up lead after just nine holes and maintained control throughout the match. Herrington, despite showing some fight, was unable to close the gap, and Howell clinched the win after 30 holes.
This victory makes Howell the third-youngest player in U.S. Amateur history to win the prestigious title. Howell, who just finished his junior year at Brookwood High School in Thomasville, Georgia, has committed to join the University of Georgia men’s golf team in 2026. His rise from being ranked 362nd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) to U.S. Amateur champion is a remarkable achievement.
On the other hand, Jackson Herrington, a sophomore at University of Tennessee, had a strong run in the event, though he fell short in the final. Herrington, ranked 198th in the WAGR at the time, still secured a spot in the 2026 Masters and U.S. Open but must retain his amateur status to compete in both majors.
Exemptions for the 2026 Majors
Both Howell and Herrington earned exemptions into the 2026 U.S. Open, but only Herrington must remain an amateur to compete in it. Howell, on the other hand, is also exempt into The Open Championship, provided he maintains his amateur status.
The Mark H. McCormack Medal Winner
Looking ahead, the recipient of the 2025 Mark H. McCormack Medal—awarded to the world’s top-ranked amateur golfer—is expected to be announced soon. This prestigious medal not only brings recognition but also guarantees exemptions into the U.S. Open and The Open Championship in 2026, provided the recipient maintains amateur status. Currently, Jackson Koivun, a junior at Auburn University, sits at No. 1 in the WAGR. Koivun, who deferred his PGA TOUR membership through PGA TOUR University Accelerated, is poised to earn a coveted spot among the top amateurs in the world.
The future of amateur and professional golf looks bright, with young talents like Howell, Herrington, and Koivun showing the next generation of stars are ready to make their mark in the game.
