For most high school seniors, the final summer before graduation is spent preparing for college applications or enjoying the last days of carefree youth. For Mason Howell of Thomasville, Georgia, it ended with a moment that etched his name in golf history.

The 18-year-old Howell raced out to a big lead over Tennessee teenager Jackson Herrington on the opening 18 holes and went on to win the 36-hole final, 7 and 6, to become the youngest US Amateur champion since Byeong Hun An won at age 17 in 2009 at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Walker Cup team for next month’s match at Cypress Point is complete. The USGA announced Sunday the remaining five selections to captain Nathan Smith’s 10-man squad – newly minted U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell, Oklahoma’s Jase Summy, Texas’ Tommy Morrison, Notre Dame’s Jacob Modleski and mid-amateur Stewart Hagestad.

Mason Howell defeated Jon Daly's son, Daly II, in a tense US Amateur quarterfinal, sealing the match 1 up to reach the semifinals at the Olympic Club.