Women's Western Junior Championship

Meridian Hills Country Club • Indianapolis, IN

Jun 8–12, 2026

Tournament Website / Data Source

Format

36-hole stroke play qualifying; top 16 advance to match play; four rounds of 18-hole matches to determine champion

Field

78 players

Eligibility

Girls 18 years of age or younger (not yet 19 by the final round); WHS Index not exceeding 5.4; not enrolled in college

Overview

First held in 1920, the Women's Western Junior is one of the oldest junior golf tournaments in the United States, conducted by the Women's Western Golf Association. Alumni have combined for over 200 LPGA Tour wins; past champions include Nancy Lopez (1972–74), Cristie Kerr (1994), and Grace Park (1993). The event rotates host courses annually.

Format

36-hole stroke play qualifying; top 16 advance to match play; four rounds of 18-hole matches to determine champion

Defending champion

Iris Lee

2026

How to play

Field entry

78 girls qualify by WHS Index (5.4 or lower) and competitive résumé; the field plays 36 holes of stroke play, with the low 16 scorers advancing to a single-elimination match play bracket.

Official entry information

See the Women's Western Golf Association's official site for eligibility and application details.

News

June 12, 2026|juniorgolfHQ

13-Year-Old Iris Lee Becomes Youngest Champion in Women's Western Junior History

Lee rallied from behind in the championship match to win the 99th Women's Western Junior at Meridian Hills Country Club.

Iris Lee, a 13-year-old from the Lake Nona area of Orlando, Florida, won the 99th Women's Western Junior Championship at Meridian Hills Country Club in Indianapolis, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history.

Lee was among the top qualifiers after 36 holes of stroke play, building an early cushion before the field was cut to the top 16 for match play. She advanced through four rounds of 18-hole matches to reach the final against Athena Singh.

In the championship match, Lee trailed through the first 15 holes before rallying to win the 16th and 17th holes, then closed out the victory with a par on the 18th for a 1-up win.

The Women's Western Junior, first contested in 1920, is among the oldest junior golf championships in the country; its alumni have combined for more than 200 LPGA Tour victories.

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