John Daly II is carving up the college golf scene and stepping far outside his famous father\u2019s shadow.<\/p>\n
The University of Arkansas prodigy and son of double Major champion John Daly has put in another huge performance at the U.S. Amateur.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old has reached the quarter-finals of the San Francisco event, marking the latest highlight of the prospect\u2019s breakout year in 2025.<\/p>\n
Carrying the Daly name draws constant comparison for the college junior, not always positive, with his Dad\u2019s renowned unorthodox on-course antics.<\/p>\n
However, John Daly played a relentlessly aggressive brand of golf, a style that his son is showing a true resemblance to in competition.<\/p>\n
And what\u2019s more, the collegiate star is humble, playing down golfing comparisons to his five-time PGA Tour-winning father.<\/p>\n
When speaking to GolfDigest, he claimed: \u201cHe\u2019s got two Majors; I don\u2019t. I\u2019m just trying to be the best version of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
John Daly II advances to the U.S. Amateur quarter-finals<\/p>\n
After winning his match against Daniel Bennett in the round of 16 of the event, Daly II stated: \u201cThe putter\u2019s been the difference. I\u2019m seeing the reads properly and rolling them in with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
John Daly II has joined the likes of Charlie Woods and Luke Poulter as golf\u2019s rising stars looking to emulate their success of their fathers in the sport.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Just how good is John Daly II?<\/p>\n
The young prospect has similar traits to his father on the course, the ones you\u2019d want to have at least.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s got a 5\u20199, stocky frame and drives the ball long with booming drives off the tee.<\/p>\n
And he\u2019s often razor sharp putting on the greens with major improvements in his approach game in 2025.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He teamed with his father, who\u2019s a former Razorback All-American, to win the 2021 PNC Challenge with an event-record score of 27-under par through 36 holes.<\/p>\n
The duo were also runners-up in 2022 and 2018.<\/p>\n
He has led the University of Arkansas golf team\u2019s scoring in his junior year with an average score of 72.21.<\/p>\n
John Daly II\u2019s best golf achievements:<\/p>\n
Won the Southern Amateur 2025 at his home course
\nThird at Northeast Amateur 2025
\n 2021 second team Rolex Junior All-American
\nWon the Sung Hyun Park Junior Championship
\nT2 at the AJGA Junior Championship
\nRunner-up in the Dye Junior Golf Invitational at Crooked Stick in Carmel, which was the site of his father\u2019s 1991 PGA Championship win
\n7 AJGA top 10 finishes in 2020\/21
\nT6 at the Dustin Johnson World Junior<\/p>\n