Jack Whaley Wins US Amateur to Secure Three Major Invitations

Jack Whaley became only the third Englishman to win the US Amateur Championship, defeating American Jay Leng Jr 4&3 in Sunday’s final at Merion. BBC Sport reported that the 22-year-old from Doncaster completed the victory with his father, Andy, working as his caddie throughout the decisive match.

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The title brings immediate rewards across amateur and major-championship golf. Whaley earned places in the 2027 Masters, US Open and The Open at St Andrews. He also secured an automatic place in the Great Britain and Ireland team for the Walker Cup against the United States at Lahinch in Ireland on September 5 and 6.

Whaley arrived without the profile of a leading favourite. He was ranked 90th in the world amateur standings and had missed the cut in the same championship a year earlier. His path to the final included match-play victories over Jackson Ormond, Bowen Mauss, Christian Cavaliere, Adam Bresnu and Carter Loflin before he faced Leng for the trophy.

The extended run also forced a change to the family’s schedule. Andy Whaley had originally been due to leave the United States on Saturday, and the pair had expected that he might spend part of the week sightseeing if Jack failed to reach the match-play stages. Instead, they changed his flight and extended their car rental as the tournament continued.

Whaley, a student at Florida State University, credited his father’s long-term commitment to his development. He told BBC Sport that the victory was an experience they would remember together and reflected on the time and expense his family had devoted to lessons and tournaments. He said his father’s encouragement helped sustain him as the possibility of winning became real.

Messages followed quickly after the final, including contact from prominent English major winners. Justin Rose, who won the 2013 US Open at Merion, spoke to Whaley by video call. Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2013 US Amateur champion, and his brother Alex also contacted him. Whaley’s name now joins that history at Merion, while the exemptions created by his victory set up a 2027 season featuring three of golf’s biggest championships.