ARDMORE, Pa. – Josh Ryan knows a thing or two about being at the top of a championship leaderboard.
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In GAP, he earned three-consecutive Junior Boys’ Championship (2020-22), a Junior Boys’ Medal (2022) and a Junior-Junior Boys’ title (2017).
Ryan is on a heater over the last month. He was runner up in the PAGA R. Jay Sigel Match Play at Country Club of Scranton. He won the event in 2020. He finished runner-up to Drue Nicholas at the 122rd Philadelphia Open at Lancaster Country Club on July 14. The following week, he secured his spot in the U.S. Amateur via Final Qualifying at Llanerch Country Club on July 20. Just nine days after that, he claimed the Pennsylvania Amateur at Oakmont Country Club, which also came with a golden ticket.
Ryan, of The 1912 Club, kept his fire burning and secured medalist honors in the 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club. Philadelphia Country Club served as the Stroke-Play Qualifying co-host.
Monday at Philadelphia Country Club, he shot a 3-under-par 67 and saw red similar to Merion’s famous front-nine colored wickers on Tuesday. His 5-under-par 65 put him at 8 under, earning him medalist honors. Other notable medalists include Walter Travis, Francis Ouimet, Fred Couples, Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Tiger Woods. His 132 total was one shot off the record set in 2017 at Riviera Country Club by Hayden Wood.
“Being medalist in the U.S. Amateur is really an amazing accomplishment,” Ryan, 22, of Norristown, Pa., said. “I know Philadelphia Country really well, so to be able to start there and hit quality shots eased me into the championship. Seeing so many people I know out there supporting me really spurred me on. My mom made chicken parmigiana last night and I get to sleep in my own bed. It’s been a great week so far.”
Joining Ryan in match play is his Liberty University teammate Michael Lugiano, the 2025 Delaware Amateur champion, of Huntsville Golf Club. Lugiano is staying with Ryan this week. The sleep schedules have been different since they were in the opposite waves with Ryan going early at Philly Country Monday and late at Merion Tuesday. Lugiano was late at Merion Monday and early at Philly Country Tuesday.
Ryan is the first GAP representative to secure medalist honors in the U.S. Amateur. He will look to become the first person from GAP to win the U.S. Amateur since R. Jay Sigel claimed his second and final title in 1983.
“These last few weeks have all been about patience and not worrying about how my swing looks,” Ryan said. “I am not worried about playing perfect golf. My short game has been really good. It has been really nice for me to train and prepare for this tournament at home. You are able to work in an environment you are comfortable in.”
His march to medalist honors began with a torrid 4-under-par through four stretch on Merion’s opening quartet. He birdied Nos. 1 (par 4, 353 yards) and 4 (par 5, 618 yards). He eagled No. 2 (par 5, 593 yards). He went out in 3 under and added four more birdies and two bogeys on the second nine.
“I’d be lying if I expected to be medalist coming into the week,” Ryan said. “It never crossed my mind. I am sure after this week is over, I will reflect on what an accomplishment this is but I have much more I want to keep playing for.”
Ryan will now shift his focus to match play. His victories in the Junior Boys’, Junior-Junior and Sigel all were in match play. His conference championship at Liberty is also match play. He said he is quite comfortable in this format.
“So far my irons and short game have been quite steady,” Ryan said. “I need to hit the driver a little better because there are some tough holes on this course where missing in the rough is more penalizing. I have been hitting my approaches into good spots on the greens so I haven’t been worried about three-putt bogeys. Match play frees you up. I will be focused on hitting as many greens as possible. I just need to go out there and do my job, which is to play golf to the best of my ability.”
Stroke Play will resume at 7 a.m. Wednesday with Ryan’s opponent to be determined after the playoff for the final spots.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 140,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
