WHALEY IN US AMATEUR FINAL

Golfer's Companion August 16, 2026 2 min read

Englishman Jack Whaley is in the final of the US Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club despite losing a three hole lead on the back nine.

Whaley was three up against Carter Loflin coming off the 12th hole, but lost the 13th and 15th to pars, then missed the par-3 17th hole to make double bogey and arrived at the extremely difficult 18th hole all square.

A brutal 495-yard uphill par 4 the hole has played second hardest in stroke play rounds and of the matchplay matches that have got that far there has only been one birdie made, eight bogeys and seven double bogeys.

Both Whaley and Loflin missed the fairway and each failed to reach the green with their seconds, eventually Whaley would hole a four foot putt for a bogey and the match.

“Honestly, my entire body is shaking.”, said Whaley after. “Just got adrenaline pumping through me. That was one of the longest par putt I’ve ever had in my entire life, and there was a lot at stake, as well. I’m proud of myself for being able to get across that barrier and get it done. I feel amazing.”

Only two Englishmen have ever won the US Amateur Championship, Harold Hilton in 1911 and Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013.

Now Whaley meets Jay Leng in the 36-hole play-off and only a match away from the title.

Photo: Jack Whaley reacts to sinking his putt to win the match 1 up at the 18th hole. (Dustin Satloff/USGA)