World Champions Crowned at Torrey Pines: 2026 Junior World Recap
Every July, the fairways that humble PGA Tour pros every January belong to a different crowd: the best teenage golfers on the planet. The week of July 5, the 15–18 divisions of the Junior World Golf Championships returned to Torrey Pines, with the boys grinding it out on the South Course and the girls testing the North. Three rounds later, on July 9, two new world champions lifted trophies overlooking the Pacific.
Founded in 1968, Junior Worlds has grown into the most prestigious junior event anywhere, and the 2026 edition proved it once again — more than 1,250 players from 56 countries and 42 states made the trip to San Diego. But at the oldest and most competitive age group, only two names went on the trophy.
Egnatios Holds Off a Hometown Kid on the South
Arizona’s Frederick Egnatios arrived at Torrey Pines and treated the U.S. Open venue like his home track. The future Cal Poly Mustang opened with the only back-to-back rounds in the 60s in the field — a 68 and a 69 — to seize control of the Boys 15–18 division, then closed with a 73 to finish at 6-under-par (68-69-73—210) and win going away.
He had to earn it. San Diego’s own Oliver Mayson gave the local gallery plenty to cheer, hanging with Egnatios deep into the final round before settling for a runner-up finish at 5-under (211). Carter Gaede of Manhattan Beach and Aiden Tiet of Richardson, Texas, tied for third at 4-under (212).
For Egnatios, it’s the biggest chapter yet in a breakout run — and it keeps the boys’ crown in familiar company. It’s the second straight year a player from the Junior Golf Association of Arizona has captured the title on the South Course.
Nishina Runs Away on the North
If the boys’ race came down to the wire, the Girls 15–18 title went to a player in complete control. Japan’s Yuka Nishina opened with a 7-under 67 on the North Course and never looked back, adding a 71 and a closing 69 to finish at 9-under-par (67-71-69—207) — the lowest 54-hole total of either 15–18 division.
Fellow Japanese standout Rino Sato pushed her all week, posting 68-68 over the first two rounds and finishing solo second at 8-under (208). Mexico’s Alejandra Botaya Carmona charged up the board with a tournament-best closing 66 to share third at 4-under (212), alongside Japan’s Akane Motomura and Singapore’s Aamiya Koul.
San Diego had a local rooting interest here, too: Emma Wang of San Diego finished inside the top 10 at 1-under, a strong showing on her home turf.
The Names on This Trophy Tend to Show Up Again
Part of what makes a Junior World title special is the company it puts you in. Tiger Woods won a record six Junior World titles as a kid. Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, Craig Stadler, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, David Toms, and Jason Day all have their names tied to this event long before they were household names. When a 16- or 17-year-old wins at Torrey Pines, it’s fair to wonder who’s watching a future major champion.
Whether Egnatios and Nishina follow that path is a story for another decade. For now, they’ve done something the rest of us only dream about — they’ve conquered Torrey Pines, and they’ve got the hardware to prove it.
You can find complete leaderboards for every division at the official Junior World results page.
Want to play the same fairways as the world’s best juniors? You don’t have to shoot par to tee it up at Torrey Pines — you just have to know who to call. Ready to book your own Torrey Pines experience? Call us at 800-TORREY PINES.
