Mason Howell score: How did high school amateur do at US Open Thursday?
The beauty of golf’s U.S. Open Championship is that anyone can play their way into this particular 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 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.
Here's how Howell did as he began his quest to make the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open. Follow along here:
Mason Howell finishes 2025 U.S. Open first round
It wasn't a pretty finish for Mason Howell as he finished his first round at the 2025 U.S. Open 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 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.
Mason Howell holding up well at Oakmont
Everybody on course is struggling through Oakmont to start off the U.S. Open, with just six golfers under par at the moment. It makes what Howell has done thus far all the more impressive.
He's at +3 through 12 holes and just one shot back of being the low amateur for the time being. He's hitting it well off the tee and his iron play has been mostly solid, too. If his putting comes around, Howell could be in a strong position heading into the second round.
Mason Howell mostly steady through eight holes
Mason Howell seemed to find a groove starting at the par 3 No. 13, finding the green and then the fairway on the next two holes for consecutive pars. He ran into trouble after a wayward tee shot found the bunker on No. 17 and settled for a second bogey on the day. Howell sits at +2 through eight holes, but doesn't seem overwhelmed by the environment.
Mason Howell starts first round at 2025 U.S. Open
Mason Howell's first round at the U.S. Open is underway and he's off to an up-and-down start scrambling after missing the fairway off the tee. Howell managed to par No. 10, but bogeyed at No. 11 as he started his Thursday on Oakmont's back nine. He's +1 for the tournament through two holes.
What time does Mason Howell tee off: US Open start time
Mason Howell will be in the 8:46 a.m. grouping off No. 10 alongside Joakim Langergren and Chris Gotterup.
- Tee time Thursday: 8:46 a.m. (10) - Joakim Langergren, Mason Howell (a), Chris Gotterup
Mason Howell US Open score, results
Mason Howell sits at +7 after the first round of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont.