The eastern-Pennsylvania based 2026 U.S. Amateur will have a lot of Sun Devil connections when it starts play Aug. 10 at Merion Golf Club (Ardmore) and at Philadelphia Country Club (Gladwyne) on Monday. The 312-player field tees Monday and Tuesday to see what 64 advance to match play, as the field includes swingers from 36 countries and 45 states.
Six Sun Devils are in the field, led by seniors Connor Williams and Fifa Laopakdee. Sophomores Boston Bracken, Bowen Mauss and incoming transfer Nguyen Anh Mihn will be there along with freshmen Oscar Couilleau. Four Sun Devils are in the top-35 of the WAGR while Bracken checks in at No. 64.
WAGR Ranking Updates
21-Connor Wiliams
27-Nguyen Anh Minh
29-Fifa Laopakdee
35-Oscar Couilleau
64-Boston Bracken
201-Bowen Mauss
Sun Devil U.S. Amateur history
Four Sun Devils have now won the U.S. Amateur title, with the win prior to Ballester coming 26 years ago when Eugene, Ore., native Jeff Quinney beat James Driscoll in 39 holes in New Jersey.
Sun Devil U.S. Amateur Champions
2024: Josele Ballester defeated Noah Kent, 2 up; Hazeltine National G.C., Chaska, Minn.; Medalist — 132, Jimmy Elllis; Entries: 4,970
2000: Jeff Quinney defeated James Driscoll, 39 holes; Baltusrol G.C., Springfield, N.J.; Medalists — 137, Jim Salinetti, Jeff Wilson; Entries: 7,124
1990: Phil Mickelson defeated Manny Zerman, 5 and 4; Cherry Hills C.C., Englewood, Colo.; Medalist — 135, Phil Mickelson; Entries: 4,765
1987: Bill Mayfair defeated Eric Rebmann, 4 and 3; Jupiter Hills Club (Hills Course), Jupiter, Fla.; Medalist — 141, Scott Gump; Entries: 4,084
This is how some Sun Devils earned the trip
-Oscar Couilleau was a top eight scorer from 2025 World Amateur Team Championship and a top-100 point leader in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of May 27.
-Fifa Laopakdee won the 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur and was a top-100 point leaders in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of May 27.
-Anh Minh Nguyen was a top-100 point leaders in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of May 27.
-Connor Williams was a top-20 point leaders in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of March 18 and a top-100 point leader in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of May 27.
-Bowen Mauss won the 2026 Utah Amateur.
-Boston Bracken was a top-100 point leader in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of May 27.