Storms Bring Day 1 of the 2026 PGA Jr. League Championship to an Early Close

Rain and incoming storms brought day one of the 2026 17u PGA Jr. League championship to an early close, with play suspended until tomorrow morning. Round one will resume at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, Saturday, Oct. 24. 

Twelve All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 14-17 have traveled to the high desert of New Mexico to vie for their chance at the national title. Twin Warriors Golf Club, nestled in the sacred lands of the Tamayame, has hosted the 17u Championship since its inception in 2023.

Before the storms rolled in, Team Utah (Lehi) and Team Florida (Orlando) were locked in a tie at 43-under par, with Team Florida’s final two pairs finishing up their final holes. Team Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) finished third at 34-under, and Team Texas (Austin) rounded out the top four at 32-under with a few holes left to play. 

Despite the disappointing end to day one, Team Florida Coach Kaden Wrisner, PGA, was proud of the way his players performed. 

“They were putting really well and putting themselves in really good positions to get good approach shots,” Wrisner said. “On top of that, the energy was amazing. They were talking to each other throughout the whole round and that keeps the energy high, keeps the hopes up high and makes it fun, which is the most important part.” 

Team Utah Coach Tele Wightman, PGA, was also proud of his team’s performance and ability to adapt. 

“They played great,” he said. “The course is playing different than what we've had in the past, so we've had to make some adjustments and figure out where we're landing the ball and how we're playing some of these shots.” 

Rounding out the leaderboard are Team New Jersey (Haworth) in fifth at 28-under; Team Connecticut (Middlefield) in sixth at 25-under; Team Illinois in seventh (Schaumburg) at 23-under; Team Kansas (Leawood) in eighth at 21-under; Team California (Los Angeles) in ninth at 20-under; Team Ohio (Columbus) in 10th at 19-under; Team Gateway (Quincy, Ill.) in 11th at 18-under and Team Georgia (Newnan) in 12th at 17-under. Remaining teams had fewer than four holes left to play. 

Days one and two are played in an 18-hole team aggregate stroke play scramble format on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23-24, counting the top three of four pair scores, per nine holes. The 36-hole aggregate team total determines the seeding for the semifinal rounds on Sunday, Oct. 25, which will be conducted in match play format.

The 17u PGA Jr. League Championship opened Wednesday night with a Welcome Party at the Prairie Star Restaurant, a century-old adobe ranch house in Santa Ana Pueblo, where traditional New Mexican cuisine and a welcome from Twin Warriors General Manager and Director of Golf Derek Gutierrez, PGA, gave way to a surprise: special guest, Notah Begay III. 

Begay, the 2026 Payne Stewart Award recipient and a well-known golf analyst for the Golf Channel and NBC Sports, is one of the only Native American golfers to play on the PGA Tour. An Albuquerque native, Begay shared about his experiences and encouraged players before posing for pictures and signing autographs. 

“One thing that goes overlooked in the modern game with a lot of younger players, especially collegians and junior golfers, is that sleep, nutrition, hydration and all those things aren’t that important,” Begay said. “This game is a marathon, not a sprint. Those of you who are willing to stay committed to those things are going to benefit your performance and preparation. You will stand on a tee and have more confidence than the next person.” 

Round one will resume tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., with round two beginning at 9 a.m. The top four teams advance to the semifinals on Sunday morning to determine who will play in the afternoon championship match. The two teams that do not make the finals will compete for third place.

For Championship scoring, news and more, visit PGA.com.