John Daly II nears Masters invitation – here is what he needs to do next
John Daly II is carving up the college golf scene and stepping far outside his famous father’s shadow.
The University of Arkansas prodigy and son of double Major champion John Daly has put in another huge performance at the U.S. Amateur.
The 22-year-old has reached the quarter-finals of the San Francisco event, marking the latest highlight of the prospect’s breakout year in 2025.
Carrying the Daly name draws constant comparison for the college junior, not always positive, with his Dad’s renowned unorthodox on-course antics.
However, John Daly played a relentlessly aggressive brand of golf, a style that his son is showing a true resemblance to in competition.
And what’s more, the collegiate star is humble, playing down golfing comparisons to his five-time PGA Tour-winning father.
When speaking to GolfDigest, he claimed: “He’s got two Majors; I don’t. I’m just trying to be the best version of myself.”
John Daly II advances to the U.S. Amateur quarter-finals
After winning his match against Daniel Bennett in the round of 16 of the event, Daly II stated: “The putter’s been the difference. I’m seeing the reads properly and rolling them in with confidence.”
Daly II started the event off with scores of 74 and 67 in the stroke play element of the event before dominating in match play at The Olympic Country Club.
He won three consecutive matches with a 30-foot monster put along the way and built a 4-up lead against Bennett in his final contest and never looked back.
His performance has been well in the works, having been building throughout the whole of 2025 with impressive finishes in amateur events, including a win at his home Blessings Golf Club.
John Daly II has joined the likes of Charlie Woods and Luke Poulter as golf’s rising stars looking to emulate their success of their fathers in the sport.
Friday will see Daly II take on Georgia prodigy Mason Howell in a hotly anticipated quarter-final final with the finalist offered a Masters invitation.
Just how good is John Daly II?
The young prospect has similar traits to his father on the course, the ones you’d want to have at least.
He’s got a 5’9, stocky frame and drives the ball long with booming drives off the tee.
And he’s often razor sharp putting on the greens with major improvements in his approach game in 2025.
In a recent match between the Dalys, Grant Horvat and Phil Mickelson, Daly II showcased his immense strength and distance, frequently outdriving all three in the YouTube golf match.
He teamed with his father, who’s a former Razorback All-American, to win the 2021 PNC Challenge with an event-record score of 27-under par through 36 holes.
The duo were also runners-up in 2022 and 2018.
He has led the University of Arkansas golf team’s scoring in his junior year with an average score of 72.21.
John Daly II’s best golf achievements:
- Won the Southern Amateur 2025 at his home course
- Third at Northeast Amateur 2025
- 2021 second team Rolex Junior All-American
- Won the Sung Hyun Park Junior Championship
- T2 at the AJGA Junior Championship
- Runner-up in the Dye Junior Golf Invitational at Crooked Stick in Carmel, which was the site of his father’s 1991 PGA Championship win
- 7 AJGA top 10 finishes in 2020/21
- T6 at the Dustin Johnson World Junior
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