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Daly II Shines at U.S. Amateur, Advances to Quarterfinals

João Guarda

Contributor

Daly II Shines at U.S. Amateur, Advances to Quarterfinals


A senior at the University of Arkansas named John Daly II has had an incredible run in the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship, which is being played at the Olympic Club Lake Course. Daly II defeated Daniel Bennett 3&2 in the Round of 16 and Nate Smith 2&1 in the Round of 32 on Thursday to move to the quarterfinals.

 

As the first Razorback golfer to get to the U.S. Amateur quarterfinals since David Lingmerth in 2009, Daly II will now play Mason Howell in the quarterfinals, marking a historic milestone. In the quarterfinals, eventual runner-up Ben Martin beat Lingmerth. 

 

Round of 32: A Resurgent Win

Daly II was down early in his Round of 32 match against Nate Smith, who took the lead at the opening hole. Daly swiftly recovered, though, and won on the third hole to tie the match. Daly maintained his composure and won successive holes 8, 10, and 12 to take a 1-up lead, but Smith was able to restore a 2-up lead by winning holes 4 and 6.

 

Daly answered with a birdie on 15 and another on 16 to regain a 2-up lead after Smith's par on the 14th tied the match. Despite the fact that both players made birdies on the par-5 17th hole, Daly II managed to win 2&1 to guarantee his place in the Round of 16.

 

 

Round of 16: Predominant Performance

Later that afternoon, Daly II maintained his strong play by defeating Daniel Bennett, the defending National Freshman of the Year and a sophomore at the University of Texas, 3&2. Daly II put up a strong show throughout the match, winning the opening hole with a par before capturing holes 5, 7, and 9.

 

Daly II took control and won the 14th hole with a par after Bennett rallied with a birdie on the 10th hole, reducing the lead to 3-up. Daly's strong play in the remaining holes allowed him to finish with a 3-up victory and move on to the quarterfinals, but Bennett won the 13th hole with a par.

 

A Sneak Peek at the Potential of Daly II

John Daly II has demonstrated that he is prepared to forge his own career in golf. Although he is clearly trying to forge his own personality, Daly II's performance this week is reminiscent of his father, two-time major champion John Daly. In light of his triumph in the U.S. Amateur Championship, Daly II expressed humility in the face of the parallels to his father while emphasising that his goal is to become the greatest version of himself.

 

“He’s got two majors and I don’t,” Daly II remarked when asked about the similarities to his father“I’m just trying to be the best version of myself.”

 

Daly II has made progress in his own right despite his father's overwhelming influence. Notable triumphs include his victory with his father at the 2021 PNC Challenge and his victory at the Southern Amateur last month, which guaranteed him a berth at the U.S. Amateur. 

 

 

His father's advice

In addition to advancing his career, John Daly II learns from his father's prosperous journey. When questioned about how to handle pressure, Daly II cited his father's counsel:  

“Just have fun. If you just let yourself have fun, the nerves disappear.” Additionally, when Daly II encounters struggles with his chipping, he often follows another piece of fatherly wisdom: “Just hit a bunch of chips left-handed.”

 

What Will Happen to Daly II Next?

Daly II doesn't let the prospect of a career-altering victory distract him from his next match as he continues his quest in the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship. His informal post-match preparations serve as an example of his grounded approach: He smiled and added, "I'm going to the locker room and maybe get in the hot tub," before he claimed he was going to give his dad a call.

 

 

Daly II will record the biggest win of his early career if he maintains his undefeated streak for the rest of the competition. However, despite his outstanding results, Daly II is dedicated to the process and the road that lies ahead and is not just focused on future recognition.

 

Daly II's skill, poise, and tenacity all evident in his progress to the quarterfinals. He has already shown himself to be a formidable opponent, and he appears to have a bright future in golf as he seeks to both emulate his father and leave his own stamp on the game.

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