Local Teens Shine in U.S. Junior Girls' Championship Quarterfinals!

Johns Creek, Georgia, USA - As the excitement builds for the U.S. Junior Girls‘ Championship taking place in Georgia, local players Grace Carter from Jupiter and Chloe Kovelesky from Boca Raton are making headlines. They both showcased remarkable skill and tenacity at the Riverside Course of the Atlanta Athletic Club, managing to secure spots in the match play quarterfinals on July 17. The Palm Beach Post reports that Carter triumphed as the low medalist, earning the coveted No. 1 seed for match play after the initial two rounds of stroke play.

Carter’s journey saw her defeat Lucinda Wu from California in the Round of 32 with a satisfying 3 and 2 victory. She continued her winning streak by edging out Canada’s Clairey Lin 1 up in the Round of 16 after establishing an early lead. At just 15 years old, this rising high school freshman not only excels on the course with her school team, Brevard HEAT, but also holds the title of multi-time women’s club champion at Jonathan’s Landing Golf Club.

Match Play Highlights

Kovelesky, a rising sophomore at Wake Forest University, also made her mark in this demanding tournament by overcoming Thailand’s OneOn Sriwong 2 and 1 in the Round of 32, followed by an impressive comeback against California’s Anna Fang, clinching the match on the 22nd hole in the Round of 16. Both players had high expectations as they headed into the quarterfinals, poised to take on some of the best talents in the tournament.

On July 18, Carter faced off against Australia’s Shyla Singh at 8 a.m., while Kovelesky’s match against Canada’s Aphrodite Deng, the second-ranked player in the American Junior Golf Association rankings, commenced at 8:50 a.m. As the competition heated up, <Amateur Golf> provided live updates and match details, tracking every crucial moment.

Championship Overview

The championship, running from July 14 to 19, featured a robust field of 156 golfers, marking its 76th year—a testament to the tournament’s esteemed history. The format consisted of 36 holes of stroke play, leading to a match play format for the top 64 players. Golfweek noted that contenders came from an impressive 16 countries, underscoring golf’s global reach. Past champions like Lexi Thompson and Inbee Park highlight the caliber of talent that this championship has attracted over the years.

In a thrilling culmination, the tournament concluded with Canada’s Aphrodite Deng winning the championship by defeating Singapore’s Xingtong Chen with a score of 2 and 1, becoming the first Canadian to take home the title at only 15 years old. The prestigious win comes with invitations to notable competitions such as the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open, among others, as reported by Amateur Golf.

Both Carter and Kovelesky have undoubtedly made an impression not only on their local communities but also on the wider stage of junior golf. Their journeys through this championship have brought excitement and pride to Florida’s golfing scene. As we reflect on this year’s competition, we look forward to witnessing the bright futures that await these talented young golfers!