{
  "id": 599502,
  "title": "After shocking defeat 21 years ago, J.C. Deacon returns to Merion as caddie",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/after-shocking-defeat-21-years-ago-j-c-deacon-returns-to-merion-as",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-11T20:38:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/shocking-defeat-21-years-ago-203829211.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Luke Poulter, a rising senior at Florida, faced a shocking defeat during the 36-hole stroke play event of the 126th U.S. Amateur at Merion on Tuesday. He lamented, \"I'm going to need a miracle.\" Poulter's caddie, J.C. Deacon, recalled his own miraculous performances from 21 years ago at Merion. In the 2005 U.S. Amateur, Deacon reached the semifinals before losing to Dillon Dougherty in an emotional match that still brings him goosebumps. Dougherty's improbable shots at the 17th and 18th holes secured the match. Deacon, returning to Merion this week for the first time in 21 years, reminisced about his own memorable moments, including his playoff victory and his friendship with Andrew Parr. Deacon hopes the tournament continues to bring positive energy and memories.",
  "summary": "Deacon is caddying for Luke Poulter in the U.S. Amateur, 21 years after losing in the semifinals at Merion; Poulter, meanwhile, is likely headed for the playoff.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}