The AJGA Rolex Girls Junior Championship, one of the circuit's marquee major invitationals, will be contested June 16–18 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 54-hole stroke-play event draws elite girls ages 12–19 from across the globe, and this year's champion will earn an exemption into the LPGA FM Championship in Norton, Massachusetts, August 27–30.
The tournament has produced a steady parade of future collegiate stars and professional prospects. Last year at SentryWorld Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Amelie Zalsman of Saint Petersburg, Florida, captured the title at 9-under par, holding off a trio of players at 8-under: Elin Wang (Hong Kong), Celina Yeo (San Carlos, California), and Amber Lee (Alta Loma, California). The 2024 edition, also held at SentryWorld, saw Elizabeth Rudisill (Charlotte, North Carolina) claim victory at 11-under, one stroke clear of Yeo, who has now finished runner-up and tied for second in consecutive years.
Yeo's consistency in the event underscores the depth of talent that returns annually. She opened the 2024 championship with a 6-under 66 and led wire-to-wire before Rudisill overtook her on the final day. Asterisk Talley (Chowchilla, California), who won the 2023 edition, and players such as Ava Zhang (Lake Mary, Florida) and Kaili Xiao (Chino Hills, California) all figure to be in the mix again if they return.
Recent winning scores have ranged from 9- to 11-under, suggesting the championship demands both steady ball-striking and the ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities over three rounds. While conditions at SentryWorld have been relatively benign in recent years—light winds, dry fairways—Sycamore Hills will present its own test, and early-season Indiana weather in mid-June can range from humid and calm to breezy.
The field will be composed of top-ranked juniors who have earned invitations through AJGA performance rankings and exemptions. With an LPGA start awaiting the winner, the stakes extend well beyond junior golf. For many, this event serves as a proving ground en route to college commitments and, ultimately, professional careers.
First-round tee times and the full field list will be released closer to the event. Coverage and live scoring will be available through the AJGA's official channels.
