Dreams realised on Augusta’s stage
Young champions seize their moment as Drive, Chip and Putt finals deliver inspiration and joy
Augusta, GA - Eight young golfers walked away from Augusta National with more than trophies on Sunday. They left with memories that will linger far beyond the fairways, each crowned champion at the 12th Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
Staged at one of golf’s most revered venues and broadcast live, the annual showcase once again underlined its purpose—to inspire the next generation. Conducted in partnership with the Masters Tournament, the USGA and the PGA of America, the initiative continues to provide a pathway into the game for boys and girls aged seven to 15, testing the essential skills of driving, chipping and putting.
From tens of thousands who entered qualifying across the United States, only 80 earned their place at Augusta National. There, under the most unique of pressures, the finalists competed across three disciplines, with precision and composure ultimately deciding the champions.
Among the girls, Riley Huang of Palo Alto claimed the 7–9 division in a playoff sealed by two holed 15-foot putts, her calm approach rooted in preparation and patience. “I did practice putting a lot, and my dad reminded me to take my time and not worry about winning,” she said.
Ava Chen of Brooklyn captured the 10–11 title, also through a playoff, her perseverance evident after multiple attempts to reach the finals. “I was extremely nervous, but I pushed through it. It was very special,” she reflected.
Lucy Cui of Honolulu surged in the 12–13 category, climbing the leaderboard before delivering under pressure on the greens. “It is really unimaginable because I never thought I’d actually do that,” she said. In the oldest girls’ division, Nirvika Koduru of Boca Raton produced a composed, balanced performance across all three disciplines, crediting her support system. “Without them, I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t have won today.”
The boys’ divisions offered equally compelling stories. Roy Moon of Bellevue set the tone early in the 7–9 group, combining strong driving with clutch putting. “It was always my dream to play at Augusta National,” he said. “It is such a great opportunity.”
Stephen Sanders of Grand Prairie made an immediate impact in his debut appearance, powering a 245-yard drive and maintaining consistency throughout. “It means the world to me,” he said of his victory.
Texas Terry of Austin delivered perhaps the most complete performance, winning the 12–13 division with consistency across all skills and claiming his second national title. Trust, he said, was key to “bring home another trophy to Texas.”
In the 14–15 group, Arno Wehle of San Jose returned with intent after competing in 2024, using sharp chipping and steady putting to secure victory. “Chipping and putting helped me get the job done today,” he said.
The format rewarded precision and composure. Points were accumulated across driving distance, chipping accuracy and putting, with additional bonuses for efficiency. Yet beyond the scoring, the day belonged to belief—young players stepping onto one of golf’s grandest stages and discovering what they could achieve.
At Augusta National, where history is written each spring, a new chapter quietly unfolded. Not of major champions, but of future possibilities.