The 2nd round of the 54th Annual Junior America’s Cup, hosted by the San Diego Junior Golf Association (SDJGA), wrapped up with Arizona growing it’s lead to seven strokes, shooting a 2nd round 10-under par team score (413, 19-under tournament total) at the Omni La Costa Resort, South Course, in Carlsbad. Southern California sits in 2nd place, after shooting a 7-under par 209 in Round 2.

Leading Arizona in Round 2 was Hank Miller who fired a 7-under par 65, the low round of the tournament. Miller sits in 2nd place at 8-und par. His round was highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle, firing a 31 on his back 9 (front 9 of the South Course, as he started on the 10th hole). Additional players for Arizona include Ethan Butters (71 in round 2) and Asher Nelson (70) who are both in 5th place (140, 4-under par tournament totals). Evan Tyree is in 16th place at even par 144 (68-76).

Brayden Forte of Colorado continues to lead individually, as he’s at 10-under par, shooting 4-under par 68 in round 2 (which followed his 66 in the first round). Colorado sits in 3rd place as a team, improving 12 strokes from Round 1 (220, 4-over par) to Round 2 (208, 8-under par). 2nd place Southern California is being paced by Brayden Jones (70-68) and Shawn Nawata (69-69), who are both tied for 3rd at 6-under par tournament total.

Host team San Diego is in eighth place at 2-over par. Leading San Diego is Encinitas native Kenyon Kahler who is tied for 8th, 3-und par tournament total, after rounds of 71-70.

Like a collegiate event, the Junior America’s Cup features 18 teams of four boys representing their state, province, or country. The competition takes place over three days, with 18 holes played each day for a total of 54 holes to determine the winning team. Each team counts its best three scores each round, with the low-scoring team after 54 holes being crowned the 2026 champions and presented with the champions’ medals and trophy.

The 2026 competition marks the 54th anniversary of the Junior America’s Cup Championship and the fourth time it has been hosted by the Oregon Golf Association (OGA). The previous time the event was hosted by the SDJGA was in 2007, at Morgan Run Resort & GC in Rancho Santa Fe (now called La Valle Coastal Club). Oregon and Washington were co-champions that year. JAC alumni from the 2007 championship include Max Homa.

Past Junior America’s Cup participants who have gone on to successful professional careers include Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Fred Couples, Corey Pavin, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, Ryan Moore, Max Homa, Kyle Stanley, and Tony Finau.