Brandon Holtz, a 38-year-old real estate agent from Bloomington, Illinois, has won the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. The victory, secured at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Arizona, earns him an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Open and a probable invitation to the next Masters Tournament.
Key Takeaways
- Brandon Holtz defeated Jeg Coughlin III with a score of 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final match.
- The win grants Holtz an exemption for the 2026 U.S. Open and a likely invitation to the Masters.
- The tournament began with 264 amateur golfers aged 25 and older from 19 different countries.
- Holtz, a former Division I basketball player, was competing in his first-ever USGA championship.
An Unconventional Path to a National Title
Brandon Holtz's journey to a USGA championship is far from typical. Unlike many of his competitors, his athletic background is rooted in a different sport. Holtz played Division I collegiate basketball at Illinois State University before pursuing a career in real estate.
Despite not playing golf at the collegiate level, he maintained a passion for the sport, competing in various PGA-affiliated mini-tours throughout his adult life. This week marked his debut in a USGA championship event, making his victory all the more remarkable.
"I always played," Holtz said. "When I graduated college, I decided, ‘what the heck,’ and gave it a shot. … When you don’t play at the collegiate level, you learn a lot … that the older you get, the wiser you get."
At 38, Holtz's win underscores the spirit of the Mid-Amateur Championship, which is designed for amateur golfers aged 25 and older who are not pursuing golf as a full-time profession.
Navigating a Competitive International Field
The 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship brought together a diverse and talented group of athletes. The event started with 264 amateur golfers from 19 countries, all competing for one of amateur golf's most prestigious titles. The competition was held across two renowned Scottsdale courses: Troon Country Club and Troon North Golf Club.
Tournament Structure
The championship begins with two rounds of stroke play, where every golfer plays to achieve the lowest score possible. Following these initial rounds, the field is cut to the top 64 players, who then advance to a single-elimination match play bracket until a champion is crowned.
Through days of intense competition, Holtz and his final opponent, 28-year-old Jeg Coughlin III, emerged from the field. Coughlin, from Dublin, Ohio, had prior experience, including a brief professional career in 2019 and participation in three previous USGA championships. Both finalists successfully outlasted the entire field, which included nine players native to Arizona.
The Final Showdown and Unexpected Weather
The 36-hole championship match began at 7 a.m. on Thursday at Troon Country Club. While early conditions were favorable with temperatures in the high-70s, the players soon faced an unexpected challenge: heavy rain in the Arizona desert.
The sudden downpour surprised both competitors, who were unaccustomed to such weather in the region. The change in conditions had a noticeable effect on play.
"I don’t mind the dry heat," Holtz commented. "It did get a little humid, more humid than I thought, and then the rain this morning totally threw me off."
Coughlin also expressed his surprise to a spectator during the round. "I did not know they had weather like this (in Arizona)," he said. "This is crazy, man." Despite the weather, the finalists continued their closely contested match.
Did You Know?
The U.S. Mid-Amateur champion traditionally receives an invitation to compete in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, one of the four major championships in professional golf.
Family Support and a Decisive Victory
Throughout the final round, a gallery of approximately 80 spectators followed the match, many of whom were friends and family of the two golfers. Both players acknowledged the importance of having their loved ones present.
"That definitely got me more grounded," Coughlin said about the support from his girlfriend and mother. Holtz had his own key supporter on the course: his father, Jeff Holtz, who served as his caddie for the championship.
Jeff Holtz provided more than just club selection and yardages; he was a calming presence for his son. After a missed putt on the 14th hole, his father offered simple but crucial advice. "Slow down, breathe," he told his son. "It’ll come, man, it’ll come."
The guidance proved effective. After 34 hard-fought holes, Brandon Holtz secured the victory over Coughlin with a final score of 3 and 2, meaning he was three holes ahead with only two holes left to play.
A 'Wild' Win and a Future in the Majors
When asked what it meant to become a USGA champion, Holtz's response was a single word: "wild." His victory is a life-changing achievement for an amateur golfer.
The win comes with significant rewards that place him on golf's biggest stages. He has earned a full exemption into the 2026 U.S. Open, and he is also expected to receive an invitation to compete in the upcoming Masters Tournament in April. This provides a rare opportunity for an amateur to compete alongside the world's best professional players.
For a real estate agent and former college basketball player from Illinois, the title of U.S. Mid-Amateur champion opens a new and unexpected chapter in his athletic career.
