Brandon Holtz, a 36-year-old real estate agent from Bloomington, Illinois, has won the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona. A former Division I basketball player, Holtz secured the victory in his first-ever USGA event, earning a place in the 2026 U.S. Open.
The victory came after a week-long tournament that brought together 264 of the world's top amateur golfers over the age of 25. Holtz defeated Jeg Coughlin III in the final match held at Troon Country Club.
Key Takeaways
- Brandon Holtz, a real estate broker from Illinois, won the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.
- The win grants Holtz an exemption into the 2026 U.S. Open and a likely invitation to the Masters Tournament.
- Holtz, a former Division I basketball player, was competing in his first USGA championship.
- He defeated Jeg Coughlin III of Dublin, Ohio, with a score of 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final match.
- The tournament featured an international field of 264 amateur golfers competing in Scottsdale, Arizona.
A Surprising Victory in the Arizona Desert
The 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship, held at Troon Country Club and Troon North Golf Club, concluded with a surprising champion. Brandon Holtz, who balances his passion for golf with a career in real estate, navigated a challenging field to claim the prestigious title.
The tournament began with a large international contingent of 264 amateur golfers, all aged 25 or older, hailing from 19 different countries. The initial phase consisted of two days of stroke play, after which the field was cut to the top 64 players for the match-play portion of the event.
Through several days of intense, single-elimination matches, the field was gradually narrowed. Ultimately, only two competitors remained: Brandon Holtz and Jeg Coughlin III.
Tournament Format Explained
The U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship uses a two-stage format. It starts with 36 holes of stroke play for all competitors. The 64 players with the lowest scores then advance to a match-play bracket, where they compete head-to-head in single-elimination rounds until a champion is crowned.
The Final Match Against Coughlin
The championship match on Thursday pitted Holtz against Jeg Coughlin III, a 29-year-old from Dublin, Ohio. Unlike Holtz, Coughlin had prior experience in USGA championships and even played professionally for a brief period in 2019. Despite this experience gap, Holtz maintained his composure throughout the grueling 36-hole final.
Competitors faced unexpected weather challenges. While both players came prepared for the dry Arizona heat, they were met with heavy rain during the morning round. This sudden shift in conditions tested the adaptability of both finalists.
"I did not know they had weather like this [in Arizona]," Coughlin remarked to a spectator during the downpour. "This is crazy, man."
Holtz also acknowledged the difficult conditions, noting the humidity and rain affected his performance early on. "It did get a little humid, more humid than I thought, and then the rain this morning totally threw me off," he said.
After 34 closely contested holes, Holtz secured the victory with a score of 3 and 2, meaning he was three holes ahead with only two holes left to play.
From College Basketball to Golfing Glory
Holtz's path to a national golf championship is unconventional. He played Division I collegiate basketball for Illinois State before pursuing a career as a real estate agent in his hometown of Bloomington. While he has competed in smaller PGA-affiliated mini-tours, he never viewed golf as a full-time profession.
He maintained his passion for the sport throughout his adult life, believing his game would improve with maturity. This victory is a testament to that belief.
Career-Changing Exemptions
Winning the U.S. Mid-Amateur is one of the most significant achievements in amateur golf. It comes with two major rewards: an exemption to compete in the next U.S. Open (2026 for Holtz) and a traditional invitation to play in the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
Reflecting on his development as a golfer, Holtz shared his perspective on gaining experience outside of the traditional collegiate golf system.
"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, and hopefully I can keep getting a little wiser [with] golf."
Family Support on the Fairway
The championship was a family affair for Holtz. His father, Jeff Holtz, served as his caddie throughout the demanding week, providing not just strategic advice but also crucial emotional support. In moments of high pressure, his father's calming presence was invaluable.
During a critical moment on the 14th hole where Holtz missed a short putt, his father offered simple but effective encouragement. "Slow down, breathe," Jeff told his son. "It'll come, man, it'll come."
Several other family members flew in to watch the final match, joining a crowd of approximately 80 spectators. Coughlin also had the support of his mother and girlfriend. "That definitely got me more grounded," Coughlin said about having his family present.
When asked what the title of USGA champion meant to him after sinking the final putt, a stunned Holtz had only one word: "Wild."
