Sports Innerview - 8/19/2026 - Jack Whaley

Ann catches up with newly crowned U.S. Amateur champion Jack Whaley just one day after his life-changing victory at historic Merion Golf Club. Whaley, the 22-year-old Englishman and rising senior at Florida State, joins Ann from the passenger seat during a road trip south — and, no, he wasn’t driving!

Whaley talks about the emotions of capturing the Havemeyer Trophy, defeating Jay Leng Jr. 4 & 3 in the 36-hole final, and how growing up playing golf in England prepared him perfectly for Sunday’s rainy, demanding conditions at Merion.

He also shares the pivotal advice his FSU coach gave him during the lunch break, the role his father played throughout his journey, and his excitement about representing Great Britain & Ireland in the upcoming Walker Cup at Lahinch in Ireland. 

It’s a revealing conversation with one of amateur golf’s newest stars, less than 24 hours after the biggest victory of his young career.