Mason Howell thought his first U.S. Amateur had come to an end. He almost broke his putter in frustration because he was so distraught. He was a part of a 20-for-17 playoff Wednesday morning to get into match play at The Olympic Club,

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.