Whaley claims U.S. Amateur title at Merion amid challenging conditions
Florida State senior overcomes rain and a wasp sting to win the Havemeyer Trophy with his father as caddie
English golfer Jack Whaley has won the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Pennsylvania, defeating American Jay Leng Jr. 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final. The victory, secured under wet and windy conditions, marks Whaley as the first Englishman to claim the title since Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013.
Whaley, a 22-year-old senior at Florida State University, navigated difficult weather that necessitated the use of double gloves to maintain grip. He also endured a wasp sting on the fourth fairway during the afternoon session, which left him with a throbbing ankle for the subsequent holes. Despite these physical inconveniences, Whaley rallied to hold off Leng, who had held a two-up advantage through the first 18 holes.
The emotional weight of the victory was underscored by the presence of Whaley’s father, Andy Whaley, who served as his caddie. The pair shared a family embrace after Whaley sank his final putt for birdie, ending a tournament that saw the Englishman overcome a period in his teenage years where he considered quitting the sport.
The win secures Whaley exemptions into the 2027 Masters, the 2027 U.S. Open, and the 2027 Open Championship at St. Andrews, provided he maintains his amateur status. He becomes the seventh player to win the U.S. Amateur at Merion, joining a list of golfing legends that includes Bobby Jones and Ben Hogan.
Runner-up Jay Leng Jr., a Stanford junior, earned significant accolades despite the defeat. He secured a spot on the 2026 U.S. Walker Cup team alongside Kihei Akina, Ryder Cowan, Josiah Gilbert, William Jennings, and Stewart Hagestad. Leng also received exemptions into the 2026 Masters and the 2026 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, contingent on his amateur standing.
Merion Golf Club, which has been designated to host the U.S. Open in 2030, 2040, and 2050, provided a historic backdrop for the final. The course is renowned for its connection to golf history, including the location where Bobby Jones clinched the season grand slam in 1930.
Whaley, currently ranked No. 90 in the world amateur golf rankings, expressed pride in joining the lineage of past champions. His victory highlights a rapid rise from a NAIA star to the pinnacle of amateur golf, cementing his place in the sport’s record books.
