A Guide to the 126th U.S. Amateur Golf Championship

A Guide to the 126th U.S. Amateur Golf Championship

Golf’s potential next superstar will be crowned just outside of Philadelphia as part of the region’s historic 2026 sports season. The 126th United States Amateur Championship will bring hundreds of the world’s top amateur golfers to two of the area’s premier courses: Merion Golf Club and Philadelphia Country Club.

Here is everything golf fans need to know about the tournament — from understanding the format, to the championship history of both courses, to grabbing tickets and getting to the action.

Two historic settings for the 2026 U.S. Amateur

The preliminary stroke-play – a format much like a traditional PGA event — action takes place across both Merion Golf Club (450 Ardmore Ave., Ardmore, PA) and Philadelphia Country Club (1601 Spring Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA), with 312 golfers teeing off across the two venues over two days. Head-to-head match play will take place exclusively at Merion for the remainder of the week. Both historic clubs have hosted major events for over a century.

The Seventh Hole of Merion Golf Club in the Ardmore, Pa. Copyright USGA/Fred Vuich

Merion Golf Club, famous for using iconic wicker baskets instead of traditional flagsticks on its East Course, is hosting its 20th United States Golf Association championship and 7th U.S. Amateur. This legendary history includes:

• 1916 U.S. Amateur: A 14-year-old Bobby Jones burst onto the national scene by reaching the quarterfinals before Chick Evans captured the title.
• 1930 U.S. Amateur: Bobby Jones completed his historic Grand Slam here, winning all four of golf’s major championships in a single calendar year. Jones also won the 1924 U.S. Amateur at Merion.
• 1950 U.S. Open: Ben Hogan — less than a year and a half removed from a near-deadly crash — won a thrilling 18-hole playoff against George Fazio.
• 1971 U.S. Open: In a clash of titans, Lee Trevino defeated Jack Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff.
• 2005 U.S. Amateur: Edoardo Molinari became the first Italian player to hoist the Havemeyer Trophy.
• Host of U.S. Opens: The course also hosted the 1934, 1981, and 2013 U.S. Opens, and is set to host again in 2030, 2040, and 2050.

Philadelphia Country Club boasts a rich history spanning three centuries, having hosted the 1899 U.S. Women’s Amateur, the 2003 U.S. Women’s Amateur, and the 1939 U.S. Open, won by Byron Nelson.

U.S. Amateur Championship tournament schedule & tickets

The weeklong tournament runs from Monday, August 10 to Sunday, August 16. The first two days are stroke play with 312 golfers playing 18 holes at each course. A playoff (if necessary) will be held Wednesday, August 12, before the top 64 scorers then are seeded into a match play tournament, taking place from Wednesday through Sunday at Merion. It culminates with two golfers battling for the championship in Sunday’s 36-hole final.

Mason Howell plays his tee shot on the 19th hole during the finals of the 2025 U.S. Amateur at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. Copyright: Chris Keane/USGA

Tickets for the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship are available via USGA.org. General admission gallery tickets start at $39 (including fees). Active-duty and retired military personnel can request up to two complimentary tickets, and children under 18 receive free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on-site.

Before attending, review all spectator policies, etiquette guidelines, prohibited items, and weather protocols in the official USGA’s Fan Guide.

Getting to Merion Golf Club

Merion Golf Club is about 13 miles (21 kilometers) west from Center City Philadelphia and 12 miles (19.3 kms) north of Philadelphia International Airport.

• Public Transit: Take SEPTA’s M Line (formerly the Norristown High Speed Line) to the Ardmore Avenue Station, where signage will direct you to the course entrance. SEPTA recommends parking at the Villanova or Stadium stations. (SEPTA has a full guide for fans coming from the airport and other locations.)
• Ridesharing: Drivers for Uber, Lyft, and taxis must use the designated drop-off lot at Haverford College’s South Lot (370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA). A complimentary shuttle will transport fans to the golf course.
• Parking: Parking at the Villanova Parking Garage (S. Ithan Ave. & Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA) and then take a short SEPTA ride as mentioned above.

What golfers will tee off at the 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship?

Notable golfers competing for the Havemeyer Trophy include:

• Defending champion: 19-year-old Mason Howell looks to defend his title.
• Hungry runner-ups: Jackson Herrington (2025) and Noah Kent (2024) hope to win it all this time.
• World’s No. 1: Top-ranked amateur Preston Stout leads the field.
• Youth vs. Veterans: 15-year-olds Landon Tudor and Bento Assis compete alongside 64-year-old tournament veteran Michael McCoy.