Ding was the youngest player in the field and won 3&2 over Kinsley Ni of Los Angeles, California, in the Girl's Division championship match. Ni earned a win on the first hole, but Ding caught up by winning No. 2 to take the match to all square.

Ding proceeded to win Nos. 3 and 5 to go 2-up in the match. She proceeded to win No. 8, but Ni closed the gap by winning No. 7 and No. 9. Ding made the turn 1-up. Ni found herself winless on the back nine and after wins on No. 13 and No. 14, Ding ended the match 3&2 on No. 16.

"I was thinking that whatever happens today is just a bonus. I need to do the best I can, and the result doesn't matter," Clara Ding said. 

Ding earned two points during pool play, which advanced her to the elimination bracket. She then won the quarterfinals by 4 and 3 and won the semifinals in 19 holes.

Ranked at No. 70 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, this is her first AJGA invitational win and her second AJGA victory overall.

"The course is really tough...I was already playing really well, but I was just trying to play even better," Ding said. 

Badgett won 4&2 over Mason Howell of Thomasville, Georgia. Howell won the first hole of the day but lost hole Nos. 6 and 9 to go one down at the turn. Badgett won four holes and lost one hole on the back nine en route to an early ending on No. 16.

"Winning this tournament is pretty special, I've had a lot of support back home. This is my first match-play tournament, so to come out on top is really special to me," Badgett said. 

Badgett claimed his spot in bracket play by winning group play. During the quarterfinals, he stayed strong for 19 holes after playing against the number one seed, Wheaton Ennis. He advanced to the finals by winning 4&3. This is Badgett's third overall AJGA victory and his first AJGA invitational win.

The RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic is the only true match play format event on the AJGA schedule. All but two years of the 45-year history have been played as match play.