Bailey wins U.S. Mid-Amateur to earn spots in Masters, U.S. Open

Andrew Bailey won the U.S. Mid-Amateur on Thursday and earned a spot in the Masters and U.S. Open next year.

ESPN

Published: Friday, 2 October 2026 at 1:50 AM

Key Things to Know

Andrew Bailey won the U.S. Mid-Amateur, defeating Nate Smith 5 and 4 to earn spots in the Masters and U.S. Open.
Bailey took the lead on the 23rd hole and completed his final 17 holes without a bogey.
Smith held the lead for most of the morning 18 holes before Bailey tied the match on the 18th hole.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Andrew Bailey defeated Nate Smith 5 and 4 on Thursday to win the U.S. Mid-Amateur at The Lido at Sand Valley in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. The 34-year-old from Cleveland took the lead for good with a birdie on the 23rd hole and played his final 17 holes bogey-free. The victory secures Bailey berths in the Masters and U.S. Open next year.

Smith, a 43-year-old home builder from Idaho, led for most of the morning 18 holes before Bailey caught him on the 18th hole. Bailey, who works as a national sales manager for apparel brand Holderness & Bourne, regained his amateur status in 2017 after a severe rock-climbing wrist injury previously derailed his professional golf ambitions.

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Bailey wins U.S. Mid-Amateur to earn spots in Masters, U.S. Open

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