ARDMORE, PA — Michael Lugiano is the lone Pennsylvanian left in the field at the 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club. The week started with 10, but Lugiano is the last one standing in the quarterfinals at the biggest amateur championship in the world.
It's quite a run for a golfer who almost withdrew from the tournament before it started.
The rising junior at Liberty said his game was in such a bad shape, he almost pulled out of the Amateur. He had zero confidence after the Western Amateur. His game was lost. His mind shuttered at the thought of what could happen at Merion.
"That's how bad of golf I was playing," Lugiano said. "After the Western, I was sick of playing bad, and I got to work, found a feel, and really worked hard on it for that
week coming into this event, decided to eventually play because I got confident with my game again."
Lugiano explained he worked on hinging his wrist more upward in the back swing. He felt that move click on the range, and everything has come back since.
He has a strong section following him around Merion cheering and trying to will him to success. As Friday's quarterfinals begin in the afternoon, he will likely be a heavy fan favorite. That's a far cry from where he considered being just two weeks ago.
"I can't believe I've made it this far from my perspective," Lugiano said. "But if you asked me the day before this event what could have been possible, I would have said I could have won this because the confidence was back."
Michael Lugiano is the lone Pennsylvanian left in the #USAmateur field
— Cameron Jourdan (@Cam_Jourdan) August 13, 2026
Two weeks ago, he contemplated withdrawing from the event.
"That's how bad of golf I was playing. After the Western, I was sick of playing bad, and I got to work, found a feel, and really worked hard on it… pic.twitter.com/UkLwyQ3MF4
This week, Lugiano is staying at his former teammates house. Joshua Ryan, who won medalist honors, fell in the Round of 64 on Wednesday.
The best part about staying with someone Lugiano is familiar with? Some good home cookin'.
"I'm going to go back, get some of Mrs. Ryan's cooking and get some rest because hopefully it's another long day tomorrow," Lugiano said. "It's been really good so far. But I'm not sure what's tonight."
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: This Pennsylvanian almost withdrew from U.S. Amateur. Now he's in the quarterfinals
