Brandon Holtz, of Bloomington, Ill., took down Jeg Coughlin III, of Dublin, Ohio, to capture the 44th U.S. Mid-Amateur, 3 and 2, in Thursday’s 36-hole championship match at Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, Ariz. Holtz, a reinstated amateur, becomes the second Illinois State graduate to win a USGA title after Todd Mitchell (2019 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball).
“It felt great. I feel like the older I get, the better I get,” said Holtz. “I didn’t see this day [coming]. I’m glad it’s here, though.”
Holtz, a 38-year-old real estate professional and former Illinois State University basketball player, was one of few players all week to consistently opt for driver off the tee. With three holes to play and a 2-up lead on the 34th hole, he showcased why, striping his drive down the 308-yard par 4 to seven feet left of the flagstick. Coughlin, who also drove the green, failed to sink the 60-foot birdie putt that would have extended the match, and Holtz converted his eagle to seal the championship.
“The driver got me here,” Holtz said. “The driver is my strong club, and it’s the reason I’m here. Honestly, when I was walking up to the tee, when they had the tees moved up, it was going to be driver no matter what.”
Coughlin, a 28-year old Ohio State University graduate who was joined by PGA Tour professional Kevin Streelman on the bag this week, struggled to find his game early, falling to 3 down heading into the break and 5 down after the 20th hole. A three-hole birdie stretch on Nos. 26-28 would bring the deficit back to 1 hole before Holtz ultimately closed out the match.
“I think we showed our talent a little better on the second [eighteen],” said Coughlin. “Had a great match going there, but just a little too late… Just a marathon of a week. It’s definitely the most amount of golf holes I’ve ever played in my life.”
What the Champion Receives
A gold medal and custody of the Robert T. Jones Memorial Trophy for one year
Exemptions into the next 10 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships
Exemptions into the 2026 and 2027 U.S. Amateur Championships at Merion Golf Club, in Ardmore, Pa., and Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, N.Y., respectively
Exemption into the 2026 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, in Southampton, N.Y.
Likely invitation to the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club
Name engraved on the 2025 USGA Champions' plaque that will reside in the Hall of Champions inside the USGA Museum & Library, in Liberty Corner, N.J.
Notable
Runner-up Jeg Coughlin III received a silver medal as well as exemptions into the next three U.S. Mid-Amateur Championships, a spot in the 2026 U.S. Amateur and an exemption from local qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open.
The 2026 U.S. Mid-Amateur will be contested at Sand Valley Resort in Nekoosa, Wis.
Logan Rasmussen, who serves as the head of Rules and Competitions for the Arizona Golf Association, served as the referee for the morning 18 of the championship match. Dennis Reed, a member at Troon Country Club, was the afternoon referee. Austin Pelias, the championships manager for the Arizona Golf Association, was the first-tee starter for the entirety of the championship.
Brandon Holtz’s U.S. Mid-Amateur journey actually started at his home course, Crestwicke Country Club, in Bloomington, Ill., where he shot a 63 in qualifying to earn medalist honors by four strokes.
The conclusion of Thursday's championship match also marked the final USGA championship for director Bill McCarthy. McCarthy, who has served as the director of the U.S. Mid-Amateur since 2010, has been with the United States Golf Association for 30 years and served as the director of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball since its inception in 2015. He also oversaw the now-retired USGA Men's State Team and U.S. Amateur Public Links Championships. McCarthy provided Rules assistance at a variety of other USGA championships, including the U.S. Open.
Quotable
“It’s a huge deal. I played in the U.S. Amateur at Olympic, and when I saw it’s at Merion next year, I was really hoping to make it. To know we’re going [to Merion] next year, and it’s a USGA championship, is a dream. To be in next five [U.S.] Mid-Amateurs is epic.” – Jeg Coughlin III
“Oh, there's a list. You know, there's a list for sure. Whoever likes to have fun and talk a little trash. That's who I'd like to play with.” – Brandon Holtz when asked about possible practice-round partners at the U.S. Open and Masters
“I'm not going to speak for everybody, but I'd say 99.9 percent of golfers dream for that. Like I said, my dad winning the Masters badges in the lottery in 2010 just makes it extra special because we've been there. We know how special it is. Then the U.S. Open, not to discredit the U.S. Open at all, I've made it to sectionals in the U.S. Open probably seven times and just haven't been able to crack it. But here I am.” – Holtz on playing in two majors next year
“They're not here, no. We kept them at home. Those two are wild.” – Holtz on not traveling with his two young children
“I learned a lot about myself on that second 18. I had good composure, good fight. [My caddie] Kevin [Streelman] did such a great job of trying to motivate me. Learned a lot this week and from this experience today, I'm definitely not done. Hoping to draw on it when I come back and have a little bit of a different result next time.” – Coughlin III
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