Georgia golf commit, Mason Howell, headed to the 2025 US Open
Kira Doppel
June 10, 2025
When Mason Howell tees off on Thursday, June 12, at Oakmont, he will become one of the youngest players to ever compete in the U.S. Open.
Howell, a rising senior at Brookwood, a private school in Thomasville, Georgia, qualified to play in the 2025 U.S. Open at just 17-years-old. Howell committed to playing golf at Georgia in September 2024 and helped lead his high school golf team to a GIAA AAA Class State Championship in 2025.
Howell secured his spot in the 125th U.S. Open after tying for first place, shooting 18 under par in the U.S. Final qualifying at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta.
This final qualifier is typically known as ‘golf’s longest day’ due to the golfers having to play two full rounds.
“It was a rollercoaster all day,” Howell said. “I mean, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was nervous.”
However, despite the unapparent nerves, Howell didn’t have a single bogey. He shot 63 in both rounds with 18 birdies for an overall score of 18 under. He beat PGA tour pros in the process, including 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson.
“Coming off 18 green, it’s just a feeling that I don’t know if I’ll feel again,” Howell said. “That was one of the greatest moments of my life.”
Now, the Georgia native will play with the best players in the world as he heads to Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, where the 2025 U.S. Open will take place June 12-15.
The U.S. Open is one of golf's four major tournaments during the year. It is known for being one of the hardest tournaments, with the tournament organizers saying they wanted this year's winning score to be over par.
