Junior Invitational at Sage Valley: Binaghi, Talley win in starkly different ways
March 23, 2024 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
see also: Asterisk Talley, View results for Junior Invitational, Sage Valley Golf Club
Binaghi shot a scorching 8-under 64 to erase a three-shot deficit to win, while Talley went wire-to-wire in dominant fashion
Fifteen-year-old Asterisk Talley captured her first gold jacket going wire-to-wire to win the girl’s title at the 2024 Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club, setting a scoring record along the way. Italy’s Giovanni Daniele Binaghi, 16, erased a three-stroke deficit with a sizzling 8-under 64 to win the boy’s title by two shots over 36-hole co-leader Louis Klein of the Czech Republic.
Talley, playing in her first Junior Invitational, took control of the tournament early with a blistering 5-under on the front nine on her way to a round of 67. She finished six strokes ahead of Rianne Malixi, who shot a 3-under 69. Talley, from Chowchilla, Calif., now owns the Junior Invitational 54-hole scoring record at 10 under par, surpassing Anna Davis, who shot 7-under in her 2023 victory.
“It’s exciting to win an event like this against the top girls in the world,” said Talley. “Even though I had a 4-stroke lead, I came out playing like we were even. The course was softer, which allowed me to be aggressive. Even when I was 5-under at the turn, I knew I had to continue to play for birdies and pars.”
Talley is currently ranked No. 547 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com Women's Rankings. Binaghi is ranked No. 583 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.
Binaghi also took advantage of the conditions with eight birdies and no bogeys in the final round. His 8-under 64 is the second-lowest third-round score since Justin Thomas’ 62 in 2011. This is the 13th Junior Invitational for boys, and Binaghi joins an exclusive group of winners that includes Scottie Scheffler, Austin Eckroat, and Joaquin Niemann, among others.
“I’m honored to be a part of that group. This now gives me confidence that I can take with me in the future,” Binaghi said. “I was fine starting two or three behind. I’m a hunter. I hit the ball well and also putted well. Even after shooting a 74 in the first round, I felt like I was going to have a chance.”
Two awards were also presented to players for their accomplishments off the course. Nicholas Gross, playing in his third Junior Invitational, and Miles Russell, playing in his first, were awarded the Paul S. Simon Boys Character Award. Yana Wilson, competing in her second Junior Invitational, was honored with the Dr. Joe Bowden Girls Character Award.
Recap courtesy of Junior Invitational at Sage Valley
About the Junior Invitational
The Junior Invitational's mission is to operate the most prestigious junior golf championship in the world—an invitation-only 72-hole annual event (increased from 54 holes prior to 2025) for the top 36 boys and 24 girls from around the globe, hosted ...
Most Popular Articles
LIVE SCORING: 2026 Australian Men’s Amateur Championship
Feb 4, 2026Australia’s national amateur championship returns Feb. 3–6 at The Western Australian and Wanneroo.
2026 Ben Hogan Award Watch List: 35 Names to Know This Spring
Jan 29, 2026The 2026 Ben Hogan Award watch list is out—35 college golf standouts are in the early mix for the game’s top individual honor.
Titleist Fitting Philosophy: The Competitive Amateur’s Fastest Path to Lower Scores
Jan 26, 2026Competitive golf is a game of small edges. Titleist’s fitting approach combines expert human insight and honest data
NCAA Champion Michael La Sasso Turns Pro, Signs With LIV Golf
Jan 20, 2026Michael La Sasso is going LIV, joining Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC and passing on the 2026 Masters.
Early Invites Announced for the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur
Jan 24, 2026A running list of the first confirmed names headed to Augusta.