Former Dalton State golfer Jack Whaley completed one of the most remarkable runs in amateur golf Sunday, defeating Stanford’s Jay Leng Jr. 4 and 3 in the 36-hole championship match of the 126th U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Penn.
“I could not be more grateful to have won the U.S. Amateur Championship,” Whaley said. “It was an incredible week, made even more special by having the best possible support from both of my schools. I truly have the best friends and family anyone could ask for, and I’m so thankful for everyone who has been there for me along the way.”
With the U.S. Amateur title, Whaley earned exemptions into the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach and The Open Championship at St. Andrews. He also is expected to receive an invitation to the Masters Tournament if he remains an amateur.
Whaley, who is from Doncaster, England, spent two seasons with the Roadrunners before transferring to Florida State University, became the third Englishman to win the Havemeyer Trophy and the first Florida State golfer to capture the U.S. Amateur title.
Before transferring to Florida State, Whaley built a decorated resume at Dalton State. As a freshman, he won two tournaments individually, helped lead the Roadrunners to the 2024 NAIA national championship, earned first-team All-America honors and received the Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award from the Golf Coaches Association of America.
His sophomore season was even more momentous. Whaley won five times, captured the 2025 NAIA individual national championship and finished in the top 10 in every tournament he played. He was named NAIA Player of the Year, SSAC Player of the Year, a first-team All-American and became the first player in college golf to collect the Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player awards in the same season.
Including his Phil Mickelson Outstanding Freshman Award, he is the only NAIA golfer to collect the four highest honors that can be awarded.
“When Jack came to Dalton State, he was talented, driven and eager to grow. What people saw this week was the result of his work, his toughness and his belief,” said Ben Rickett, Dalton State’s athletic director and men’s golf coach. “He has always had the ability, but the way he handled pressure, weather, adversity and the magnitude of the moment showed exactly who he is. Dalton State is incredibly proud of Jack, and I was grateful to be there in person to watch him make history.”
Whaley’s victory came after a week in which he repeatedly faced elimination. He shot 2-over par during stroke play and entered a 16-for-11 playoff just to reach the 64-player match-play bracket.
From there, Whaley began a match-play run that built momentum with each round, earning a place in the championship match against Jay Leng Jr., one of the hottest players in the country and winner of the Western Amateur earlier in the summer.
Whaley opened the championship match with a chip-in birdie on the first hole and built an early 2-up advantage, but trailed by two after the first 18 holes. Coming out of the break, he won four consecutive holes to flip the match and move 2 up after 23 holes. Even after Leng trimmed the deficit, Whaley continued to answer. He made key birdies on the 26th and 28th holes to stretch the lead to 3 up, then stayed in control down the closing stretch.
Whaley ended the match on the 33rd hole with a birdie putt, securing the 4-and-3 victory with his father, Andy Whaley, serving as his caddie. The win capped an emotional week for Whaley and placed his name alongside some of the most accomplished players in amateur golf history.
“To be among the greats who have won that trophy is incredible emotional, and to say I got to do it with my dad by my side make it even more special,” Whaley added. “I’ll be grateful for this moment and everyone who helped make it possible for the rest of my life.”
The Dalton State community celebrated Whaley’s achievement as another milestone for one of the nation’s premier NAIA golf programs.
“We were all excited to see a former Roadrunner successfully compete on a national stage for one of amateur golf’s most prestigious titles,” Dalton State President John Fuchko said. “Jack has made our college, our alumni, and the entire Northwest Georgia community proud through his extraordinary accomplishments.”
Few people understand Whaley’s journey from former standout to NAIA national champion to U.S. Amateur champion better than Rickett, who recruited and coached him during his time at Dalton State.
“Jack’s journey is a reminder of what can happen when talent meets the right environment and relentless commitment,” Rickett said. “He trusted the process at Dalton State, he grew every year, and he carried that foundation with him onto one of the biggest stages in golf. This is a special day for Jack, his family, Dalton State and everyone who has been part of his journey.”
