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The USGA has named 10 players to its 2026 Elite Amateur Program, including returning stars Kiara Romero and Max Herendeen
The USGA has named 10 players to its 2026 Elite Amateur Program, including returning stars Kiara Romero and Max Herendeen plus three new additions on both the men’s and women’s sides.
The USGA announced the 2026 Elite Amateur Program roster on Monday, continuing a key pillar of the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) that was launched to create a unified pathway for America’s top amateur golfers.
Now in its second year, the Elite Amateur Program is designed to complement college golf programs by offering tailored support, coaching, and competitive development opportunities. The initiative gives elite players added resources beyond their campus teams as they pursue success at the highest levels of amateur golf.
The USGA said its coaches traveled with athletes in June of 2025 to The Women’s Amateur Championship at Nairn in Scotland, where the program produced immediate results. Jasmine Koo earned stroke-play medalist honors, while Farah O’Keefe advanced all the way to the championship match before finishing runner-up.
Elite Amateur Program rosters are compiled and reevaluated annually by a USNDP selection committee. Eligibility factors include nationality, age, amateur status, conduct, performance, education, and graduation year.
| Player | Hometown | Age | School / Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Davis | Spring Valley, Calif. | 19 | Auburn / Jr. |
| Chloe Kovelesky* | Boca Raton, Fla. | 19 | Wake Forest / So. |
| Farah O’Keefe | Austin, Texas | 20 | Texas / Jr. |
| Jasmine Koo | Cerritos, Calif. | 19 | USC / So. |
| Kiara Romero | San Jose, Calif. | 19 | Oregon / Jr. |
| Scarlett Schremmer* | Birmingham, Ala. | 19 | Miami (FL) / Fr. |
| Catherine Park | Irvine, Calif. | 21 | USC / Sr. |
* New to the team
| Player | Hometown | Age | School / Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kihei Akina* | Alpine, Utah | 20 | BYU / Fr. |
| Max Herendeen | Bellevue, Wash. | 21 | Illinois / Jr. |
| Michael Riebe* | Encinitas, Calif. | 19 | Vanderbilt / Fr. |
* New to the team
Kiara Romero, the reigning McCormack Medal recipient, returns for a second consecutive season in the Elite Amateur Program. The Oregon junior made history at the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills by posting the lowest final-round score ever recorded by an amateur, a 5-under 67.
Romero also delivered a landmark 2024-25 collegiate campaign, becoming the first player in Oregon history to win both a conference individual title and an NCAA regional individual title in the same season. She also owns the program record for most individual titles.
On the men’s side, Max Herendeen returns after a strong 2025 season at Illinois. Herendeen earned Golfweek and GCAA PING Honorable Mention All-America recognition and advanced to the final round of the NCAA Championship as one of the top individuals from a non-advancing team, ultimately finishing 27th.
The Elite Amateur Program has quickly become one of the USGA’s most important talent-development initiatives. By pairing top amateurs with added coaching support, international competition experience, and performance resources, the USNDP is helping create a more structured pathway for players with championship aspirations.
The 2026 roster reflects a blend of established college stars and new faces who have already positioned themselves among the most promising amateurs in the country. With the program now entering its second year, the USGA continues to invest in a long-term pipeline for the next generation of elite American players.
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