Arizona captured the 54th Annual Junior America’s Cup to repeat as champions, shooting 19-under par (629 tournament total) over three rounds, at the Omni La Costa Resort, South Course, in Carlsbad, which was hosted by the San Diego Junior Golf Association. Arizona shot a final round team total of even par 216 to win by seven strokes over 2nd place Southern California. Mexico – Red took 3rd place with a best final round score of any team of 8-under par (208).

Leading Arizona overall was Asher Nelson who finished t-2nd overall, highlighted with a final round 67 (tournament total 9-under par 207). Rounding out Arizona was Ethan Butters and Hank Miller who finished t-13th overall (even par 216) and Evan Tyree at t-17th (217). Southern California was paced by Brayden Jones who finished 2nd individually with consistent scores of 70-68-69 (9-under par 207).
Brayden Forte of Colorado took individual medalist honors at 14-under par (66-68-68= 202) to win by five strokes. Host team San Diego finished in 6th place, with local Carlsbad native Kenyon Kahler leading the team with his 8th place finish, at two-under par (71-70-73= 214).

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.