Tennessee men’s golfer Herrington advanced to the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship finals at The Olympic Club and will square off with Mason Howell in Sunday’s championship match. The Dickson, Tennessee native becomes the third Vol golfer in program history to reach the U.S. Amateur final, joining Oliver Goss (2013) and Eric Rebmann (1987).
Herrington’s path to the final secured him exemptions into two of golf’s majors in 2026: the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open. He earned his spot by defeating North Carolina’s Niall Shiels Donegan, 1 up, in the semifinals. Herrington fell behind by two holes early through two but climbed to two up by the 15th. Shiels Donegan staged a late rally to level the match at No. 18, but Herrington closed out with a birdie to seal the win.
The result keeps Tennessee’s major-championship dream alive for 2026 as UT golfers continue to compete on golf’s biggest stages under their head coach. The championship match at The Olympic Club is scheduled for Sunday, with live coverage on Golf Channel from 7-10 p.m. ET.
Summary and outlook: Herrington’s breakthrough to the U.S. Amateur final marks a milestone for Tennessee golf, highlighting the program’s rising trajectory and providing a clear pathway to major championship play next season. A win on Sunday would cap a historic run for the Vols and add further momentum to a program that has already produced multiple notable players in recent years. Positive momentum remains for Herrington and Tennessee as they look ahead to 2026 majors and continued national relevance.