Junior
Miles Russell and Asterisk Talley Successfully Defend Titles at Sage Valley Junior Invitational
The 2026 Junior Invitational concluded at Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, South Carolina with Miles Russell and Asterisk Talley each defending their titles in the Boys and Girls divisions.
Russell secured the Boys Division championship at 15 under after posting a final round 5 under 67. His round included two eagles on holes four and fifteen. Russell finished three shots ahead of Tennessee signee Tyler Watts, who placed second. U.S. Amateur champion Mason Howell finished third at 7 under.
With the victory, Russell became the first player to win the Boys Division in consecutive years at the Junior Invitational.
In the Girls Division, Talley closed the tournament with a 5 under 67 to finish at 8 under for the championship. Her final round included a birdie on the sixteenth hole that helped secure the lead. Talley finished three shots clear of the field to earn her second title at Sage Valley.
Talley entered the final round paired with defending champion Aphrodite Deng. With the victory, Talley became the first player in the Girls Division to win the Junior Invitational twice.
The Junior Invitational annually brings together leading junior golfers from around the world to compete at Sage Valley Golf Club. The 2026 championship featured four rounds of competition with Russell and Talley recording the lowest scores in their respective divisions on the final day to secure repeat victories.
Sources:
