Golf fans across the globe were treated to a whirlwind Thursday as two of the sport’s most prestigious events—the US Amateur Championship and the BMW Championship—delivered drama, upsets, and moments of pure magic. From the rolling fairways of San Francisco’s Olympic Club to the thunder-struck greens of Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland, the future and present stars of golf put on a show that left viewers eager for more.
Let’s start on the West Coast, where the 2025 US Amateur Championship saw a marathon day of competition. Both the last 32 and round of 16 matches were packed into a single Thursday, demanding stamina and nerves of steel from the world’s best amateurs. Emerging from the chaos was John Daly II, son of two-time major winner John Daly, who showcased both grit and skill to advance to the quarter-finals. Daly II battled through a grueling 33 holes, first dispatching Nate Smith 2&1 and then outlasting Daniel Bennett 3&2. Asked about his recovery plans after such a marathon, Daly quipped, “Probably hit Chipotle again and abuse those Normatec boots.”
The quarter-finals won’t get any easier for Daly II. He’s set to face 18-year-old Mason Howell, who’s quickly becoming the tournament’s giant killer. Howell shocked World No.2 Ben James in the last 32 before grinding out a 2&1 win over Max Herendeen. Notably, Herendeen had earlier pulled off the day’s biggest upset by eliminating World No.1 Jackson Koivun 3&2. That’s right—Koivun, the tournament favorite, was sent packing before lunchtime, a result that sent shockwaves through the amateur ranks.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. Scotland’s own Niall Shiels Donegan delivered another underdog story for the ages, toppling World No.4 Preston Stout 1up in the round of 16. “Elated, ecstatic. Yeah, it’s amazing. Just trying to enjoy the moment right now and get ready for tomorrow,” said Shiels Donegan, whose family relocated from Scotland to the Bay Area when he was just three. He added, “It’s hard [controlling the adrenaline] sometimes when you’ve got the crowd around this amphitheater of the 18th green, you’re shaking a little bit. Those were three putts that I’ve holed to win my matches on 18. It’s been great.”
Jimmy Abdo, ranked a distant 4292 in the world, also crashed the quarter-final party. The 19-year-old American first dispatched Wolfgang Glawe 4&3 in the morning, then eked out a 1up win over Sweden’s Daniel Svard in the afternoon. “Being the underdog, I feel like there’s way less pressure on me to perform well,” Abdo said. “I feel like I can go out there and play pretty free. That’s what we did for most of the holes out there.”
AJGA No.1 Miles Russell, just 16 years old, showed why he’s the world’s top-ranked junior. Russell edged Billy Davis by holing a nerve-wracking 12-foot putt on the 18th to win 1up, then followed it up with a 3&1 victory over Mahanth Chirravuri. “The crowd is awesome. It really helps momentum, I feel like, or it can at least. It’s a good crowd to have,” Russell told reporters, clearly feeding off the energy from supporters gathered around the Olympic Club’s storied greens.
Friday’s quarter-final matchups are set, and they promise more fireworks: Niall Shiels Donegan vs Jacob Modleski, Jimmy Abdo vs Jackson Herrington, Mason Howell vs John Daly II, and Miles Russell vs Eric Lee. Tee times begin at 1:30 pm PDT, with live streaming available on Peacock at 3 pm and broadcast coverage on Golf Channel at 4 pm. With so many favorites already ousted and new faces rising, who knows what surprises Friday will bring?
Meanwhile, on the East Coast, the BMW Championship—second stop of the FedEx Cup Playoffs—kicked off with a bang of its own. Scottish sensation Robert MacIntyre seized the spotlight, carding a scintillating 8-under 62 in the first round at Caves Valley Golf Club. MacIntyre’s finish was nothing short of spectacular: he birdied the last six holes, a PGA Tour career-best streak, to storm into a three-shot lead heading into Friday’s second round.
“How’s that for a finish?” exclaimed the Golf Channel broadcast as MacIntyre calmly rolled in his final putt on 18. The 20th-ranked player in the FedEx Cup standings looked every bit a contender, his putter red-hot and his nerves steady despite the pressure of playoff golf.
Tommy Fleetwood, seeking redemption after a near-miss at last week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship, carded a 5-under 65 to sit three shots back. Fleetwood’s closing birdie on 18 kept him within striking distance, while tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler lurked in third at 4-under. Scheffler’s round was a rollercoaster, featuring three birdies in his first four holes, back-to-back bogeys at the turn, and a late surge with birdies on three of his final four holes. “Maybe the inclement weather break at the BMW Championship was exactly what Scottie Scheffler needed to get his first round back on track,” mused the Golf Channel team after a 2-hour, 13-minute weather delay halted play for thunderstorms and lightning.
Other notable performances included Viktor Hovland and Rickie Fowler, each finishing at 3-under and tied for fourth. Fowler, who barely qualified for the top-50 field, birdied four of his last five holes to join the leaders. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, battled his way to even par after early struggles off the tee, but remains very much in the hunt with three rounds to play.
The BMW Championship, with its limited field and no cut, is always a pressure cooker. Every shot counts as players jockey for a place in next week’s Tour Championship. The field is stacked, with the likes of Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Harris English all looking to make a move up the FedEx Cup standings. The first round’s leaderboard was crowded and volatile, with weather delays adding to the unpredictability.
Coverage of the BMW Championship continues Friday, with television broadcasts on Golf Channel and NBC, and live streaming available via ESPN+, Peacock, and Fubo. Tee times for round two begin bright and early, and with MacIntyre, Fleetwood, and Scheffler all within striking distance, fans can expect another day of compelling, edge-of-your-seat golf.
As the sun set on Thursday, the storylines were clear: the next generation is making its mark at the US Amateur, while the game’s current elite battle for playoff glory at the BMW Championship. With upsets, streaks, and weather delays already in the books, both tournaments are still wide open—and the best may be yet to come.
