{"id":52804,"date":"2026-08-19T12:48:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T12:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/52804\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T12:48:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T12:48:15","slug":"us-amateur-champion-shares-what-he-plans-to-do-when-he-plays-with-rory-mcilroy-at-the-masters-next-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/golf\/52804\/","title":{"rendered":"US Amateur Champion shares what he plans to do when he plays with Rory McIlroy at The Masters next year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Follow us on Google Discover <\/a> <\/p>\n

Jack Whaley\u2019s life changed in just one tournament. <\/p>\n

He was far from a favorite to win the US Amateur at Merion, but the 22-year-old became the second Englishman since 1911 to win amateur golf\u2019s biggest prize. <\/p>\n

By doing so, Whaley earned a place in the field at The Masters, the US Open and The Open Championship in 2027, and he\u2019ll play at some of the most iconic venues in world golf. Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St Andrews are waiting. <\/p>\n

It gets better for Whaley. Traditionally, the winner of the US Amateur is grouped with the reigning Masters champion at Augusta, so he can expect a tee time with Rory McIlroy at his first ever major championship. <\/p>\n

And Whaley knows exactly how he\u2019s going to approach this meeting with McIlroy. <\/p>\n

\"JackPhoto by Isaiah Vazquez\/Getty ImagesJack Whaley says what he plans to ask Rory McIlroy at The Masters <\/p>\n

Whaley is going to have the season of his life next year, playing the major championship schedule of any golfer\u2019s dreams. <\/p>\n

The Doncaster-born amateur says he\u2019s excited for the opportunity to play at Pebble Beach for the very first time. Speaking to the Golf Channel, he said, \u201cI played St Andrews quite a few times, but never been over to Pebble Beach, so it\u2019s going to be really good to get out there and play. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a great experience. I think I picked a good year to win it, so I\u2019m really proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

The opportunity to play alongside McIlroy is priceless, and one Whaley looks to make the most of at Augusta National: \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a huge honor to play with Rory. I\u2019ve always looked up to him when I was younger, playing golf. <\/p>\n

\u201cI never thought this would ever happen, but I\u2019m going to pick his brain a little bit, and hopefully he\u2019s willing to give me some advice. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be nice to have it from a previous Masters champion and a successful golfer.\u201d<\/p>\n

The messages Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus sent to Jack Whaley after US Amateur win<\/p>\n

And as if things weren\u2019t going well enough for Whaley, he also received messages from both Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus after winning the US Amateur. <\/p>\n

Woods posted to Instagram: \u201cCongrats to @jackwhaley_golf on winning the U.S. Am at Merion. An incredible accomplishment and a special place to make history.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicklaus followed with a lengthy statement on his Instagram, posting, \u201cSome Jacks like collecting trophies! <\/p>\n

\u201cOn June 1, 2025, I met Jack Whaley for the first time when I presented him with the Jack Nicklaus Award as the top collegiate golfer in NAIA. Just 14 months later, I\u2019m thrilled to congratulate Jack on winning the Havemeyer Trophy, arguably the most revered prize in amateur golf. <\/p>\n

\u201cWell done, @jackwhaley_golf, on winning the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship! Last June, as the final round of the @memorialgolf was getting underway, Jack sat on the dais with 4 other Nicklaus Award winners, proud and grateful for his two years at NAIA Dalton State, and announced that he was transferring to Florida State. Now, he is the first Seminole in history to win the U.S. Amateur!<\/p>\n

\u201cThroughout this last week at Merion, Jack proudly wore his @fsumensgolf Seminoles gear, right down to his FSU bag and headcovers. Even better was seeing him surrounded by the people who helped him get there Sunday \u2014 his family, with father Andy on the bag; FSU Coach Trey Jones; and Dalton State Coach Ben Rickett, who was with Jack at the Memorial a year ago (photo above of the 2 coaches).<\/p>\n

\u201cI watched a lot of Sunday\u2019s 36-hole final, and what a beautiful golf swing Jack has! Just as impressive was his demeanor. To be two down after 18 holes to World No. 23 Jay Leng Jr., and then come back to win 4 and 3, at a great golf course like Merion GC, for the U.S. Amateur title, is a tremendous story!<\/p>\n

\u201cJack, I\u2019m very happy for you! From receiving the Nicklaus Award to winning the Havemeyer Trophy in a year, you have come a long way in a very short time. Best wishes, Jack, for what I\u2019m sure will be a very bright future!\u201d<\/p>\n

An endorsement from the most successful golfer to ever play is the highest praise of all. Whaley could well have a bright future ahead of him!<\/p>\n

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