Jack Whaley Clinches U.S. Amateur Title with 4 and 3 Victory at Merion

Florida State's Jack Whaley defeated Jay Leng Jr. 4 and 3 at Merion Golf Club to win the 126th U.S. Amateur championship.

Jack Whaley, a 22-year-old Florida State Seminole from Doncaster, England, secured the 126th U.S. Amateur championship on Sunday afternoon at Merion Golf Club. Whaley clinched the 36-hole final with a 4 and 3 victory over Jay Leng Jr., a Stanford junior. The world No. 90 amateur overcame a wasp sting on the fourth fairway during the afternoon session and utilized double gloves to manage the rain-slogged conditions in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Whaley sealed the match by sinking his final putt on the 15th hole of the second round, ending the contest with three holes to spare.

During the morning session, the match remained tight as both competitors struggled with the elements. Leng held a 2-up advantage through the first 18 holes after both players carded bogeys on the par-5 18th hole during an overcast and windy round. Whaley, who wore his Florida State team colors and cap, eventually rallied to overtake the No. 23 ranked amateur. The victory makes Whaley the first English player to hoist the Havemeyer Trophy since Matt Fitzpatrick won at Brookline in 2013. His father, Andy, served as his caddy and held the famed wicker basket flagstick during the post-match celebration.

Major Exemptions and Championship Spoils

By winning amateur golf’s greatest prize, Whaley earned a Tiger Woods medal and several high-profile tournament invitations. He receives an exemption into the 2027 U.S. Open and the 2027 British Open at St. Andrews. Additionally, he is slated to compete in the Masters, provided he maintains his amateur status. Whaley’s rise to the title follows a collegiate career that saw him transition from an NAIA star to a standout for the Florida State Seminoles under coach Trey Jones, who was present at Merion to witness the win.

Leng also secured significant competitive opportunities despite the loss. As the runner-up, he earned a spot on the 2026 U.S. Walker Cup team. Leng is also set to appear in the Masters and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach next year, contingent on him remaining an amateur. The Stanford junior noted that the performance proved he could compete with the best players in the world.

Historical Significance at Merion Golf Club

Whaley’s triumph marks the seventh time the U.S. Amateur has been held at Merion. The venue is steeped in history, featuring a rock near the 11th hole tee box commemorating Robert Tyre Jones Jr.’s 1930 Grand Slam completion, where he defeated Eugene Homans 8 and 7. The course also features a plaque on the 18th hole honoring Ben Hogan’s 1-iron shot during the 1950 U.S. Open. Merion is scheduled to host future U.S. Opens in 2030, 2040, and 2050, as well as the U.S. Women’s Open in 2034 and 2046.

The region has seen a resurgence in major championship golf recently. Justin Rose won the 2013 U.S. Open at Merion, while Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship at nearby Aronimink in May. Other notable events in the Philadelphia suburbs include Sei Young Kim’s 2020 Women’s PGA Championship win and the Truist Championship hosted by Philadelphia’s Cricket Club last year. David Graham was the first Australian to win a U.S. Open at Merion in 1981, finishing with a 67 for a three-shot victory.