In 2001, the Jones Cup Invitational began at Ocean Forest Golf Club as a preview for that year’s Walker Cup. Its purpose has changed, but this year’s event may have provided another preview. In a dramatic playoff finish between two Florida State Seminoles, the United States’ Gray Albright defeated England’s Jack Bigham to become the 21st Jones Cup champion.
“This win gives me a reminder that my game is good enough to play with the best there is,” Albright said. “It gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”
Albright, a graduate student at FSU, overcame a 3-over par front nine with three birdies on the back nine to force the playoff. He finished at 4-under 212, shooting 68-72-72. Albright’s win won’t just improve his ranking; it’s a step toward making the United States’ Walker Cup team in September if he decides to remain an amateur.
“This win gives me a reminder that my game is good enough to play with the best there is. It gives me a lot of confidence going forward.”
Gray Albright
Players had to deal with difficult conditions all week, with temperatures often in the 40s and windy. But you wouldn’t know it by looking at the top of the leaderboard. During the final round, six players held the lead or a share of it. That lead was never greater than a single stroke. And seven players finished under par.
“It’s extremely cold and windy,” said Nathan Smith, captain of the 2025 U.S Walker Cup team. “These are some amazing scores in this weather.”
Difficult conditions at the Jones Cup aren’t the exception, but the rule. In 2024, the champion Jacob Modleski was the only player to shoot under par (-1). Two players were even par.
Despite the difficult conditions there were many impressive showings, including those by two junior golfers.
Miles Russell, a top-ranked junior and winner of his three previous non-professional starts, shared the lead going into the final day. He briefly took the solo lead after a birdie on the par-5 third, but three bogeys in his next five holes dropped him back. He finished the tournament tied for third at 2-under par, 17 strokes better than his Jones Cup debut last year.
Oklahoma State commit Henry Guan set the single-round scoring record on day two. Guan came out firing, shooting a 65 with nine birdies and two bogeys. The 65 is the best score on the 2023-redesigned Ocean Forest in its second year of competitive play. In the history of the Jones Cup, Guan’s score is only eclipsed by Alex Fitzpatrick’s first round 64 in 2021.
“It’s an honor and rewarding for me to think I actually broke a record,” Guan said.
With the Walker Cup looming in September, great performances are more important than ever for American, British and Irish players who want to make their respective squads. Smith, the captain of the U.S. team, was at the Jones Cup spectating. Smith says he was impressed with Albright’s performance down the stretch, especially given the tough conditions and tough competition.
“The champions and high finishers at the Jones Cup are always right there (in Walker Cup contention),” Smith said.
Albright says he hadn’t given much thought to playing at the Walker Cup because he believes he wasn’t really in the picture before this win. Also, with PGA Tour University ending in May after the NCAA D-I Men’s National Championship, Albright could be faced with the decision to turn professional. Still, he sees playing in the Walker Cup as a potentially great opportunity.
“It would be insanely cool to play in the Walker Cup and at Cypress Point,” Albright said. “It’d just be unreal.”
Some other notable American performances in the field include a T4 finish by Jackson Van Paris, who shot 70-73-71. Jackson Koivun, the top-ranked amateur in the field, struggled. He finished at 8 over, shooting 76-70-78.
Outside of Bigham, the next best scorer from the eight other players from Great Britain and Ireland was Tyler Weaver, also from Florida State. Weaver finished 3 over, shooting 75-74-70.
There are many more tournaments to play before September, but Albright’s win at the Jones Cup will certainly put a big spotlight on him in the months to come.
Everett Munez