ARDMORE, PA — The first tee shot at Merion Golf Club is one of golf's most intimidating. Forget the narrow fairway with wispy rough and bunkers staring at players on the box, but it's also claustrophobic.
On the left side is the famous Merion clubhouse, with its green awning shading tables underneath for members and spectators who gather to watch golfers begin their rounds. Behind and on the right side is fans, lined up and squeezing their way in for a look at the competitors. It makes players feel cornered, surrounded and uncomfortable.
In Carter Loflin's case, he said he was shell shocked.
"I've played in front of people before but not like that," said Loflin, the
University of Georgia gradate who's set to begin his pro career after this week's 126th U.S. Amateur. "Honestly, it took me a minute to get used the gallery and everything. I looked at Brandon (Knight) on the first tee and I was like, 'dude, I've never seen people four deep like this before.' So that was really cool, but it was a little bit nerve-racking trying to get into a rhythm."
Loflin got off to a slow start, losing three of the first four holes with a win in between and was in danger of going 3 down after snap hooking his tee shot on the par-4 fifth. He had to punch back into the fairway and then chunked a wedge, leaving him roughly 25 yards for par. Using a 58-degree wedge, Loflin landed his chip on the front of the green and watched the ball turn hard left and drop in the hole, and the momentum was all his.
He went on to win the match, 3 and 2, but said he never fully got adjusted to the crowd. Friday was the most-attended ticketed day ever at the U.S. Amateur. The USGA estimates more than 3,000 fans were on site at Merion taking in the action, and the players felt the pressure.
2 down... now 1 down! @UGAGolf's Carter Loflin chips in to slice his deficit in half. pic.twitter.com/8dtflzwGMY
— USGA (@USGA) August 14, 2026
"I don't think there was ever a point where I really settled in," Loflin said. I guess I kind of just started looking down at my feet. I just kind of stopped looking around, which was, I looked around a little bit. Like I said, I'm not used to playing in front of that many people, so the chip-in on 5 was I think the point where I really settled down because that was the first time I've heard a roar like that for myself. But I got used to it after that, I would say."
Numerous players commentated about the crowd Friday, which was vocal from the first tee and boisterous as the matches reached the back nine. Even on a day when only 57 total holes were played – the fewest in a U.S. Amateur quarterfinal since at least 2002 – the fans had plenty to cheer for from birdies to chip-ins and plenty more.
"It's one of the best experiences I've had playing golf," Englishman Jack Whaley said. "I was honestly a little bit nervous to start with, but then you kind of realize how the pros handle it. You don't really look at them. You just kind of play your own game and focus on your own golf ball, and it starts to feel normal."
The U.S. Amateur is one of, if not, the best spectator experience in golf. Fans get to stroll the fairways with future stars of the game, standing right behind them for shots at iconic venues and being close enough to hear conversations between players, caddies and more.
For kids, it's a great introduction to the game. For adults, it's refreshing to not be trapped behind ropes like at professional events. And for the players, it gets their blood flowing unlike anything else.
"I actually really enjoyed it," Logan Reilly said. "I loved how many people there were out there. Just gave me a little extra motivation, honestly. Thank God I got a couple of my friends that came out, so they were trying to get loud.
"It was great. Unbelievable atmosphere."
The USGA expect additional record crowds throughout the weekend, and expectations are that this will be the most attended U.S. Amateur on record since tickets have been sold.
As for the players, they can expect even more rowdy from the Philly crowds as the pressure ramps up this weekend.
"Never really had anything like this, except for playing the Junior Ryder Cup. That was the closest I've gotten to that," Leng said. "It was definitely a pretty good feeling knowing that playing with that many people watching and my game holds up.
Cameron Jourdan is an assistant editor of Golfweek, covering college and amateur golf, the PGA Tour and plenty more. Follow Cameron on X/Twitter (@Cam_Jourdan) or Instagram (@GolfweekJourdan).
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: 'Shell shocked': Record crowds elevate atmosphere at U.S. Amateur at Merion
