For returnees and newcomers alike, alternative awaits within the twelfth Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
Eighty members will convene Sunday morning at Augusta National Golf Club to compete in 4 age divisions. More than 850 boys and ladies age 7 to fifteen years previous have superior to the National Finals for the reason that inaugural occasion in 2014. The occasion will likely be televised from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel.
This yr’s area is comprised of golfers from 34 states and the Canadian province of Ontario who superior by three qualifying levels concluding with 10 regional websites, the place berths within the National Finals have been secured.
“I’m just excited to go down Magnolia Lane again,” mentioned Kipp Madison of Augusta, Ga., one in every of 12 returning rivals, which is twice as many as final yr.
Karis Reid received the Girls 12-13 division at the 2024 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, and she returns in 2026 to compete in Girls 14-15.
David Paul Morris/Augusta National
The Boys 12-13 National Champion in 2024 – and the primary from the Augusta space to win within the ultimate stage – Madison (Boys 14-15) is joined within the area by three different Drive, Chip and Putt National Champions: Texas Terry of Manor, Texas; Karis Reid of Carmel, Ind.; and Dawson Dial of Cedar Park, Texas.
“It’s great just to know that I’m going to have that experience again and have a great time no matter what happens,” mentioned Dial, who received Boys 10-11 in 2025 and is competing in Boys 12-13 this yr.
Having competed at Augusta National performed a task final yr, with two returning finalists among the many eight age-group winners.
In distinction to the dozen younger individuals who have gone by competing at the house of the Masters Tournament, the place the ninetieth version will start on Thursday, for a lot of the area will probably be a brand new expertise.
This is likely to be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative.
Hallie Fisch, Girls 12-13 finalist
Hallie Fisch of Suamico, Wis., (Girls 12-13) made it to the National Finals on her fourth try, profitable the Whistling Straits Regional by 17 factors.
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Fisch mentioned. “There were so many good girls and I’m the one that gets to go. It means a lot. I really wanted to go to Augusta. I don’t like being in front of the cameras, but I’m going to be excited to go. This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
It’s additionally the fourth time National Finalist Shepherd Cedar Choi of Westminster, Colo., (Girls 10-11) entered Drive, Chip and Putt. She received the Hazeltine National Golf Club Regional to advance after coming oh-so-close twice.
“I had gotten second place the past two years in the regional qualifiers,” Choi mentioned. “It caused so many tears, but to finally make it this year is my greatest moment.”
Ziqing Wang of San Jose, Calif., (Girls 14-15) additionally achieved her long-standing objective of qualifying to compete at Augusta National. A Drive, Chip and Putt participant since age 9, she’s going to see if her favourite golf accent, a four-leaf clover ball marker, will deliver her good luck at the National Finals.
Hudson Justus holed each putts on No. 18 inexperienced to win the Boys 12-13 division at the 2025 Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
Logan Whitton/Augusta National
A joint initiative based in 2013 by the Masters Tournament, USGA and PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free nationwide junior golf growth program specializing in three elementary abilities in golf.
Local qualifying for the twelfth season of Drive, Chip and Putt started final May and occurred at lots of of websites throughout the nation. The high three scorers per venue, in every of the 4 age classes in separate boys and ladies divisions, superior to subregional qualifiers in July and August. The high two juniors in every age/gender division then competed at 10 regional websites for an opportunity to advance to Augusta National, the place the three-pronged ability competitors concludes on the 18th inexperienced, generally in dramatic style.
In 2025, per week earlier than an emotional Rory McIlroy received the Masters to finish the Career Grand Slam on No. 18, the placing floor was dwelling to drama within the Drive, Chip and Putt. Hudson Justus trailed Nicklaus Miller after two disciplines then sank putts of 30 and 15 toes. After the grandson of Hall of Famer Johnny Miller grazed the cup on his 15-footer, Justus had a one-point victory.
Justus was the eighth participant in DCP historical past to sink each putts, a feat this yr’s crop of junior golfers will likely be attempting to duplicate as they search to make some historical past of their very own.
