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.

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.

Howell will tee off against John Daly II, son of 1991 PGA Tour champion John Daly, in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur on Friday.

On Sunday, the bombers will meet in the 36-hole championship match on the Lake Course. Should Howell win, he would overtake Tiger Woods as the third-youngest player to win the Havemeyer Trophy in the 125th edition of the USGA’s oldest men's championship.