SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Amateur Championship kicked off with a dramatic first round of match play, showcasing a talented field of 64 players. Among those advancing to the next stage are notable names like John Daly II, Jackson Koivun, Ben James, Preston Stout, Tommy Morrison, Filip Jakubcik, Jace Summy, and Christiaan Maas, demonstrating the depth of talent competing for the title. John Daly II, son of two-time major champion John Daly, surprised many with a composed performance, securing a 1-up victory over Cooper Claycomb. His scorecard reflected a stark contrast to his father’s "wild thing" reputation, as he dominated the match with a strategic approach, winning the 11th hole with a birdie and expertly halving the remaining 17 holes. Koivun, the world’s No. 1 player in the amateur ranking, also advanced, achieving a 1-up victory over Ryan Vools. Koivun’s performance was characterized by a decisive par on the 16th, establishing a lead that he ultimately solidified with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 17th. This was Koivun’s sole birdie of the entire match, highlighting the competitive nature of the round. Ben James, ranked second in the world amateur rankings, also progressed with a convincing 2-and-1 victory against Parker Claxton, showcasing his consistent play. Preston Stout, holding the fourth-ranked position, dominated his match with a dominant 4-and-3 win over Pennson Badgett, signaling his readiness for the tournament. However, not all top contenders advanced smoothly. Tommy Morrison, ranked sixth, faced a challenging encounter against 18-year-old Mason Howell. Howell capitalized on a bogey on the par-5 17th, following by a double bogey on the 19th, securing a 1-up victory after Morrison had initially held a 1-up lead. Filip Jakubcik, ranked fifth, narrowly missed out, losing to Eric Lee in a tense 19-hole affair, demonstrating the high level of competition. Jace Summy (No. 7) and Christiaan Maas (No. 9) also secured their spots in the next round, continuing the impressive performance of the top ranked amateurs.

Sixteen players advanced from a morning playoff to determine the final 64, underlining the intense competition for a place in the match play stage. The opening round of the U.S. Amateur has established a strong foundation for what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament.