Ryder Cowan Facts: 16 Things To Know About The Amateur Contending At The 2026 US Open

Ryder Cowan is making a name for himself at Shinnecock Hills in the 2026 US Open, where the Oklahoman is making his first career Major start and challenging for the low amateur honors.

The 21-year-old is one of his state's top players and is enjoying a successful time in the college ranks after a glittering junior career.

Get to know him better with these facts...

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Ryder Cowan facts:

1. He is from Edmond, Oklahoma

2. Cowan is in his senior year at the University of Oklahoma, the same college attended by the likes of Chris Gotterup, Abraham Ancer and Max McGreevy. Cowan was part of the Sooners team that won its third straight NCAA regional title

3. He's a two-time All-American and was also a Haskins finalist this season

4. He qualified for the 2026 US Open on Golf's Longest Day at BallenIsles CC in Florida, where he shot six-under-par and then came through a playoff. He was one of 20 amateurs to qualify for the US Open

5. He played in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 US Amateur Championships

6. His first collegiate victory came at the 2025 Kaanapali Classic in Hawaii

7. His career-high World Amateur Golf Ranking is 15th

8. Cowan finished T6th at the prestigious Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in 2023

9. He won the 2023 Oklahoma State Junior Championship

10. In the same year, he finished as runner-up at the Oklahoma Golf Association Match Play Championship

11. He won the Oklahoma State Championship twice in high school

12. Prior to joining the University of Oklahoma, Cowan was the 7th-ranked prospect in the country

13. He was runner-up in the 2019 Drive, Chip and Putt final at Augusta National in the Boys 12 - 13 age group

14. He attended Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, the same school as former NBA All-Star Blake Griffin

15. He hit every fairway in his first ever Major round at the 2026 US Open and carded an impressive two-under-par 68. He briefly held the lead in the opening round and his 68 tied the lowest US Open round by an amateur at Shinnecock Hills

16. His home course is Oak Tree National in Edmond, Oklahoma. The club has hosted a number of elite events including the 1984 US Amateur, 1988 PGA Championship, 2006 Senior PGA Championship and 2014 US Senior Open. It will host the US Senior Open again next year. He regularly plays with PGA Tour golfer and former Sooner Max McGreevy