English golfer Daniel Hayes is a big hit in the USA

D

aniel Hayes doesn’t make much noise – he just keeps delivering. The 20-year-old who first took up the game at Bramhall Golf Club in Cheshire, has quietly assembled one of the most impressive amateur CVs of his generation.

In 2025, Daniel helped England dominate the European Cup of Nations at Sotogrande, finishing third individually as the team won by 14 shots. That followed a string of standout performances in 2024, including victory at the Carris Trophy, a play-off runner-up finish at the English U18 Amateur Championship, and the George Henriques Salver at the Brabazon Trophy. Now balancing elite amateur golf with collegiate competition at LSU, Daniel continues to impress on both sides of the Atlantic. With a calm mindset inspired by Swedish Pro’ Ludvig Åberg and a game built for pressure moments, his trajectory suggests this is only the beginning.

EARLY YEARS

Tell us about your first success within the sport?
My first success would be winning the Wee Wonders at U6 level. Biggest achievements in my early years were probably the first time shooting under par, coming top-5 at the US Kids’ European Championship. The love for the game and also the ability to be able to travel the world whilst playing.

GRASSROOTS

What would you say to someone thinking about trying golf?
It’s the most frustrating but fun sport to play!

HEROES

Which sportspeople do you admire now, and why?
I admire Ludvig Aberg because of his calmness on the course and also the route he took to the PGA Tour.

TRAINING

How often do you train?
Every day

Describe a typical training session
Either holes on the course or a 30-minute session on all aspects of the game.

What is your favourite training session/exercise/drill?
Chipping drills and competitions as it allows you to be creative and express yourself.

Best piece of advice from your coach?
On the course there are no swing thoughts.

Which part of your body suffers the most in your sport?
My legs from walking so much.

What’s the toughest thing about being an athlete?
The mental side, trying to focus in between shots with all the walking and thinking. Playing under pressure.

MOTIVATION

What’s your training mantra?
Stay positive How do you keep going mentally when things get tough? I trust that I will be able to work myself out of any bad form and come out stronger the other side.

Do you have a mental exercise you complete or something/someone you think about?
Deep slower breather to help reduce heart rate and calm me down.

What’s been your greatest sporting moment so far?
Winning the Carris Trophy (English Boys U18).

How do you deal with defeats/set-backs?
Keep practising and playing tournaments to keep improving.

What do you do to freshen-up your training routine?
Play small competitions against friends to create a light-hearted way to practise.

NUTRITION

What performance foods do you enjoy most and why?
Protein shakes and electrolytes.

What are you go-to feel-good treats?
A chocolate bar.

How does nutrition improve your performance?
Keeps me energised throughout the round, especially during the final stretch

TOP TIPS

Any go-to fitness tips you can recommend?
Getting a structured warm-up consisting of some stretches and activation movements.

What’s the hardest skill in golf to perfect?
Hardest skill to perfect is the flop shot.

Advice on preparing mentally to get involved
Always try something before you say you dislike it.

FUN STUFF

Can you share three quirky facts not many people know about you

Are there any sports you aren’t good at?
A sport I’m not good at would be a high-contact sport like rugby or boxing.

How do you unwind away from sport?
I like to play video games and also watch football.

What’s the strangest thing that’s happened during competition?
I haven’t really had any strange things happen, maybe I should try and spice up my rounds a bit more!