Santa Cruz native Nate Smith, 42, the oldest golfer to advance to match play at the 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship, pushed one of the nation’s top collegians to the limit Thursday.

Mason Howell continues to make a name for himself on the U.S. Golf Amateur scene as he advanced to the semifinals of the U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club.

John Daly II, son of the two-time major champion, certainly has the blessing of golf genetics, and he has long used those genetics to be a very good golfer, playing on the University of Arkansas team just like his father.

Jackson Herrington and Mason Howell are both Masters-bound teenagers. But only 1 can win the U.S. Amateur on Sunday.