Three years after making waves as a native Augusta resident competing in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club, Hamilton Coleman again made his mark on the international golf stage by winning the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur at Trinity Forest Golf Club.
“You know, it's really cool just seeing the names that are also on that trophy,” said Coleman after his win. “Scottie Scheffler, Tiger Woods, all the great players of the game have come through this tournament. Just to be on that level with them is a great feeling.”
With the win, Coleman becomes the second Drive, Chip and Putt National Finalist to win the U.S. Junior Amateur. Michael Thorbjornsen accomplished the feat in 2018 by defeating fellow past National Finalist Akshay Bhatia in the championship match. Both Thorbjornsen and Bhatia have gone on to reach the PGA Tour, with Bhatia earning two wins thus far.
Coleman survived a marathon week that included a 25-hole match in the Round of 64, the longest match in 23 years at the U.S. Junior Amateur. Entering the week at No. 625 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Coleman defeated world No. 52 Anh Minh Nguyen in the championship match, 2 and 1. Coleman built a 5-up lead after 12 holes, but Nguyen fought back to 1-down late. A birdie at the 35th hole by Coleman clinched the match, and with it, an exemption into the U.S. Amateur next month and the 2026 U.S. Open.
“I just was trying to stay focused on the task I have at hand, not what this could mean for me or anything,” said Coleman of the final putt. “Just played a ball out right…and made a firm stroke at it.”
Coleman put on a strong performance at the 2022 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals while competing in the Boys 12-13 Division. He won the driving portion of the competition with a 232.6 yard drive and finished fourth overall in his division.
“I obviously didn’t win today but I had the best time of my life,” said Coleman after his result in 2022. “Everything is just perfect, it’s not one blade of grass that is out of line. You see it on Television and not even cameras can do it justice. Everything is just so green.”
