The Round Up by juniorgolfHQ Vol. 2
The Round Up by juniorgolfHQ
March 2026
What’s on the tee…
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March is shaping up to be a showcase month in junior golf. We’ll be covering two of the most prestigious invitation-only events on the calendar: the Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley. These tournaments feature elite international fields and many of the top-ranked juniors in the world, offering a glimpse at the next wave of college stars and future pros. We’re excited to bring you highlights and storylines from both stops.
And a quick nod to our friends at Amateur Golf Info — while WAGR remains the industry benchmark, their ranking model adds a fresh layer of analysis by emphasizing strength of field, strokes-gained data, and deeper scoring metrics to identify true upward momentum in the amateur game. Give them a follow on Instagram @amateurgolfinfo or check out their latest rankings at Amateur Golf Info.
Finally you may have noticed our very first player profile with Christian Koehn hit our Instagram account back in February! We re posted it here in our Sundae Scoop section and hope you enjoy!
2026 February Major Junior Tournament Results
AJGA Boys Simplify Championship
February 14-17, 2026
The Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio)
Champion: Grayson Baucom (2028)
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WAGR: 1,718th
Amateur Golf Info: 707thAJGA: 15thThe first AJGA Major of the 2026 season delivered high drama at The Club at Carlton Woods (Fazio). In a field of 72 of the nation's most elite juniors, it was Grayson Baucom (2028) who stood tallest, claiming a definitive victory in the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship.
For Baucom, a 16 year old out of Hickory, North Carolina this win has been a long time coming. His 2025 season was defined by a remarkable consistency. In 11 National Invitationals, he recorded 8 Top-30 finishes. Despite the consistency, the winners circle had remained elusive - until now. Making his 2026 season debut, the Class of 2028 standout finally found the missing piece of the puzzle solidifying his spot at the top of the junior ranks.
Baucom began the final day facing a four-shot deficit to Cameron Kuchar. While Kuchar struggled to find a rhythm in the closing holes, Baucom hit the accelerator. Standing on the 13th tee tied for the lead, Baucom holed out for eagle, instantly vaulting himself to a two-shot cushion. He proceeded to play his final five holes in 1-under par to slam the door. A brilliant final total of -12 (204), secured a three-shot victory.
Jackson Ormond (2026), Cameron Kuchar (2026) and Miles Russell (2027) shared runner up honors with a final score -9 (207).
What makes the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship truly unique is its deep-rooted committment to the United States military. This week, golf was secondary to a much larger mission.
Each player carried a custom bag tag representing a fallen hero. The committee meticulously matched players with service members from near their hometowns, providing a photo and biography for players to carry throughout the week.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Mighty Oaks Foundation, which provides critical recovery and resiliency programs for veterans and first responders battling PTSD and the challenges of post-deployment life.
Reflecting on the win, Baucom was moved:
“It is pretty surreal. To win a tournament that has so much to do with the military and the armed forces, it’s just been such a cool experience. This tournament is very special to my heart and I really like this cource. I am really excited to win here and I am very thankful”.
With three seasons left in his junior career, Baucom has officially put every major college coach in the country on notice. If this season debut is any indication of his trajectory, the Class of 2028 just found its new ‘player to beat.”
Leaderboard
-12 | Grayson Baucom | 70-67-67=204-9 | Jackson Ormond | 70-70-67=207-9 | Cameron Kuchar | 66-67-74=207 -9 | Miles Russell | 70-68-69=207Instagram post
The Fortinet Stanford Invitational Hosted by Rose Zhang
February 14-17, 2026
Stanford Golf Course
Champion: Asterisk Talley (2027)
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WAGR: 10th
Amateur Golf Info: 6thAJGA: 2ndIn what can only be described as a "rich get richer" scenario, Asterisk Talley (2027) successfully defended her title this month at the iconic Stanford Golf Course.
The California native, who is already committed to play for the No. 1 ranked Stanford Cardinal following her graduation in 2027, looked right at home on the Farm. For a program that already sits atop the collegiate world, adding a player who treats their home course like a personal playground seems almost unfair.
Talley essentially ended the tournament in the opening round, firing a blistering 64 to jump out to a four-shot lead. From there, she played "defensive" golf at an elite level. She closed with matching rounds of 70 for a final score of -9 (204) and a five-shot margin of victory.
Talley isn't just a top-tier junior; she is currently a Top 10 ranked Amateur in the world with three semesters of high school still remaining. Her recent track record is staggering. This marks her 5th AJGA Invitational title, including back-to-back wins at Stanford. Last year, Talley posted eight Top-5 finishes including four wins. She also secured a solo 2nd finish at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and competed in The Chevron Championship (LPGA), as well as all three USGA championships (Junior, Amateur, and the U.S. Women’s Open).
Asterisk Talley shows no signs of slowing down in 2026. While the rest of the Class of 2027 is focusing on recruiting, Talley is busy polishing a trophy case that already looks like that of a seasoned pro. Stanford fans have a lot to look forward to, but for now, the rest of the junior circuit has to figure out how to catch her.
Leaderboard
-9 | Asterisk Talley | 64-70-70=204-4 | Rina Kawasaki | 68-70-71=209-4 | Juliet Oh | 72-69-68=209Instagram post
Up Next
Dustin Johnson World Junior Championship
March 6-8, 2026
TPC Myrtle Beach
For the 11th consecutive year, the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship returns to TPC Myrtle Beach (March 6–8, 2026). This invitation-only event remains one of the most exclusive tickets in the game, featuring a global field of 60 boys and 30 girls vying for one of junior golf’s most coveted trophies.
Designed by Tom Fazio and opened in 1999, TPC Myrtle Beach was built with high-stakes competition in mind. While it hasn't seen professional tournament play since the Senior Tour Championship in 2000, it has remained a powerhouse venue for the amateur game, notably hosting the 2019 Men’s NCAA Division I Regionals. Its tight corridors and penalizing greens complexes provide a "pro-style" test that rewards discipline over raw power.
Both of last year's champions are back in the field, looking to join an elite short list of multi-time winners. Arrow Aarav Shah (Australia) was the event’s first international boys’ winner. Shah grinded out a four-shot victory in brutal winds. His steady play - including 16 pars in the final round - makes him the man to beat. Kayla Bryant (Florida) went wire-to-wire last year. The future Florida State Seminole faced a rollercoaster of a final round, but her ability to hold off a late charge proved she has the mental fortitude required for TPC Myrtle Beach’s treacherous closing stretch.
Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship returns to TPC Myrtle Beach for the 11th year. The invitation-only field will feature 60 boys and 30 girls competing for their respective titles.
A Fazio design opened in 1999, the course was built for championship play. TPC Myrtle Beach hosted the Senior Tour Championship in 2000, but since then has not been utilized in the professional game. Despite the lack of professional play, the course hosted the 2019 Men’s NCAA Division I regional and continues to host the very best juniors annually.
Other names to watch include newly minted AJGA Champion Grayson Baucom, 13 year old Iris Lee who is already making waves despite her vintage, Alexandra Snyder and Chase Bauer, who’s excellent ball striking will be critical to scoring.
Part of what makes the "DJ" special is the PGA Tour-style treatment. From names on lockers to live scoring placards on every range stall, the tournament is designed to give these players a taste of their potential future.
Junior Invitational
March 11-14, 2026
Sage Valley Golf Club
The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley (March 11–14, 2026) is widely regarded as the most prestigious title in the game, and for good reason.
Founded in 2011, this event was designed to provide a major-championship experience for the world’s best young players. Everything about the week—from the private cottages to the gold jackets awarded to the champions—is a nod to the traditions of its famous neighbor in Augusta.
Sage Valley Golf Club is a 1,500-acre sanctuary that represents the vision of founder Weldon Wyatt. Stretching just over 7,200 yards, this layout features dramatic elevation changes and pristine, fast-rolling greens. Much like Augusta National, the course rewards strategic ‘angles’ and precise iron play. With penal water features and undulating complexes, players must master all four facets of their game to stay in contention.
In a rare occurrence, both world No. 1 ranked juniors and defending champions are expected to be back to defend their titles. Miles Russell (2027) took home the 2025 title with a steady performance (69-70-70-70). While he’s been selective with his schedule early this year, he showed no signs of rust at the Jones Cup Invitational in January, where he carded a final-round 69 to finish T2. Canadian phenom Aphrodite Deng (2028) defends after a historic 2025, including the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship win. Though she has yet to make a competitve start in 2026, her ‘major-ready’ game makes her a perennial favorite.
While Russell and Deng are the headliners, the invitation-only field (36 boys and 24 girls) is a gauntlet of global talent. Fans should keep an eye on several players including Vanderbilt commit Tyler Mawhinney for the boys and Amelie Zalsman, defending champion at the Rolex Girls Junior.
The Junior Invitational is more than just a tournament; it is a week of community and mentorship. The players stay on property, sharing meals and experiences that forge lifelong friendships. It is this unique culture, combined with elite competition, that makes it the most sought-after invitation in junior golf.
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2026 “Major” Junior Golf Event Schedule
Junior Orange Bowl - January 2026 - Tomas Restrepo & Charlotte Naughton
AJGA Simplify Boys Championship - February 2026 - Grayson Baucom
The Fortinet Stanford Invitational - February 2026 - Asterisk Talley
Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship - March 2026
Junior Invitational at Sage Valley - March 2026
AJGA Team TaylorMade Invitational - May 2026
The Nelly Invitational presented by Chevron - May 2026
Southern Junior Championship - June 2026
AJGA Wyndham Invitational at Sedgefield - June 2026
Women’s Western Junior Championship - June 2026
Western Junior Championship - June 2026
North & South Junior Golf Championship - June 2026
Rolex Girls Junior Championship - June 2026
RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic - June 2026
Wyndham Cup - July 2026
U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur - July 2026
U.S. Junior Amateur - July 2026
Boys Junior PGA Championship - July 2026
U.S. Women’s Amateur - August 2026
U.S. Amateur - August 2026
Junior Players Championship - September 2026
Junior Solheim Cup - September 2026
Junior Presidents Cup - September 2026
ANNIKA Invitational - October 2026
AJGA Ping Invitational - October 2026
Notah Begay Jr. Golf National Championship - November 2026
Rolex Tournament of Champions - November 2026
The Elite Invitational - November 2026
Junior Jones Cup - December 2026
The Sundae Scoop
If you are following our socials, you saw last weeks first ever player profile. This Class of 2028 junior from Winter Park, Florida has already put together quite a nice resume at just 16 years old.
Christian Koehn - Class of 2028
AJGA: 296thAmateur Golf Info: 4,732ndInstagram post
Christian is currently making a steady climb through the rankings as he enters the meat of his sophomore season. While many
Hailing from Winter Park, Florida, Christian is a sophomore at Lake Highland Prep in Orlando. Christian plays out of Interlachen CC and Indian Creek CC and has quite the golf game.
Christian is currently making a steady climb through the rankings as he enters the meat of his sophomore season. While many juniors focus strictly on the junior circiut, Christian made headlines conquering the ‘Old Guard’ of Central Florida golf. At the 40th Annual Orlando City Men’s Amateur at the historic Dubsdread Golf Course, the 15-year-old phenom put on a clinic. Entering the final stretch with his back against the wall, Koehn delivered one of the most clutch finishes in the tournament's history with birdies on both 17 and 18 to claim a one-shot victory.
15-year-old Christian Koehn wins the Orlando City Men’s Amateur
In 2024, Christian also reached a major milestone by qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur at Oakland Hills. While he missed the cut at the notoriously difficult championship site, the experience of competing on a major-championship setup has clearly fueled his fire for more USGA appearances.
While Christian’s 2026 calendar is packed with AJGA and FSGA events, one tournament is circles in red: The US Amateur at Merion Golf Club (August 10-16). For most, Merion is a treasured invite, but for Christian it is a family reunion. In 1930, Merion was the site of Bobby Jones’ historic completion of the Grand Slam. Competing in that very same field was Christian’s great-grandfather. Christian is determined to become the second member of his family to compete in a U.S. Amateur at Merion.
Qualifying for the U.S. Amateur is one of the tallest tasks in golf, but Christian’s current form and ‘clutch’ gene (as seen in his Orlando City Am win) will make him a serious threat during qualifying season. Should he punch his ticket to Ardmore, PA, Christian won’t just be playing for a trophy — he’ll be playing for his place in a century-old family legacy.
What’s In the Bag?
-Titleist GT2 Driver 9.0, Ventus TR Blue 6-X
-Titleist GT2 Fairway Woods-Titleist T150 Irons-Vokey 48, 54, 58-Scotty Cameron Phantom 5.5-Titleist ProV1x
Strength of My Game?
-Consistency, trying to avoid the big mistake
Favorite Moments on the Golf Course?
-A foggy, early morning tee time at Cypress Point with my Dad
Go-to Snack at the Turn?
-Bananas
A big thank you to Christian for being featured this month! We look forward to seeing him tee it up in 2026. Be sure to head over to our socials and give a follow for more content on junior golf players. You can find Christian as well at @christiankoehn_golf.
We love to feature our passionate Junior golf community. If you have a story, achievement, or event you'd like to share, send us a DM on our Instagram or X (formerly Twitter) @juniorgolfHQ
Until next month…..