The 2026 Western Junior Championship begins Monday at historic Knollwood Club in Lake Forest, Illinois, where one of junior golf's most prestigious titles will once again be contested by a deep field featuring many of the game's rising stars.

The championship runs June 15-18 and begins with 36 holes of stroke play. Following the second round, the field will be cut to the low 44 players and ties. Those advancing will play two additional rounds of stroke play, with the champion earning one of junior golf's most coveted trophies. The top three finishers and ties will also receive exemptions into the 2026 Western Amateur.

For more than a century, the Western Junior has served as a proving ground for future stars. Alumni include Tiger Woods, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, David Duval, Luke Donald, Sean O'Hair and Hunter Mahan, among many others who have gone on to successful collegiate and professional careers.

A Truly International Championship

This year's field represents more than 30 U.S. states and nine countries outside the United States, underscoring the championship's growing global appeal.

International competitors arrive from Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Among the international standouts are Hiroto Ozawa of Tokyo, Japan; Louis Mahakan of Hua Hin, Thailand; Khanh Hung Le of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Ryan Xie of Auckland, New Zealand; Kaichen Xia of Shanghai, China; Darren Zhou of Hong Kong; Zhengda Li of Australia; and Miguel Garcia of Queretaro, Mexico.

Canada is particularly well represented with nine players in the field, including Manav Bharani, Andy Dai, Eddie Gu, Chase Jerome, Maxim McKenzie, Barron Mundy, Jager Pain, Spencer Shropshire and Matthew Simpson.

Players to Watch

One of the hottest players entering the championship is Hampton Beebe of West Palm Beach, Florida. Beebe arrives at Knollwood fresh off his victory in the Florida Amateur Championship, where he closed with a final-round 71 to claim one of the nation's premier state amateur titles. While many players in the field are still building their résumés, Beebe already owns a significant championship victory against older and more experienced competition.

Another familiar name is Wylie Inman of North Palm Beach, Florida. Inman finished tied for 15th at the Florida Amateur and has continued to establish himself as one of the strongest junior players in the Southeast.

California once again brings one of the deepest state contingents in the field. Players such as Kaden Chang, William Chang, Christian Choi, Jed Choi, Graham Christopher, Yilang Chen, Shawn Nawata, Aston Lim, Kailer Stone and Ryan Xie give the Golden State a formidable presence throughout the championship.