Featured Players
While he missed the cut at The Open, Justin Hastings made the most of a rare opportunity to play on one of golf’s biggest stages after his win at the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship. The Cayman Islands native earned starts in three 2025 majors including the Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open and The Open.
Hastings struggled early in the opening round at Royal Portrush, bogeying five holes on the front nine before settling in on the back nine, where he tallied one birdie and otherwise stayed on par. He wrapped up the day with a three-over 74.
The amateur was able to close out his second round with birdies on each of the final two holes but was unable to overcome his slow start and missed the weekend along with all other amateurs in the field.
“I feel like I've said this every time I've come off the golf course, but I feel like I did things well. The bad bounces from yesterday seemed to continue into today,” said Hastings after his second round. “I seemed to not be able to get it going until it didn't really matter on 17 and 18...It was a nice close at least.”
Hastings memorably discovered he was paired with Cameron Smith for the opening round.
“I grew up watching him. He's an unbelievable player,” Hastings shared. “I remember when he won The Open at St Andrews. It was definitely an ‘oh wow’ kind of thing when you see the tee time.”
Although unsatisfied with his play, Hastings was able to reflect on his major experience with gratitude.
“It's unbelievable looking back on the last six months now,” he said. “It’s nothing short of life-changing.”
