For three days in early March, some of the best junior golfers in the world gathered along the South Carolina coast for the Dustin Johnson World Junior Golf Championship, showcasing elite talent and world-class competition at TPC Myrtle Beach.
With sunny skies, temperatures in the low 70s and ideal early-spring conditions throughout the week, the Grand Strand once again proved to be a fitting stage for one of junior golf’s premier events. The championship brought together 90 of the top junior players from around the globe, highlighting why the Myrtle Beach area continues to be recognized as the Golf Capital of the World®.
After 54 holes of championship play on the Tom Fazio-designed layout, William Lisle captured the boys title while Fay Jia claimed the girls championship, each navigating a demanding course and a highly competitive international field.
Lisle Wins Boys Championship at TPC Myrtle Beach
In the boys division, William Lisle claimed the title with a 4-under-par total of 212, posting rounds of 71-70-71 to secure a one-shot victory.
Lisle entered the final round with the 36-hole lead but faced a challenging stretch early in the round before delivering a key moment that ultimately sealed the win.
“I wasn’t playing well through about 11 or 12 holes. I was three over and it was kind of a do-or-die moment,” Lisle said. “I hit it to two or three feet on the par five and made eagle.”
That pivotal eagle, combined with a long putt on the 16th hole, helped Lisle regain momentum and maintain control down the stretch.
“It made it a lot more nervous on 18 than it should have been, but I made the putt and got the win,” he said.
Lisle credited consistency and focus throughout the tournament.
“I put together three solid rounds and just focused on hitting each shot at a time and not getting too ahead of the scores,” he said.
Chase Bauer finished runner-up at 3-under-par 213, closing with a final-round 69, the lowest score of the day. Theodore Snyder finished third at 1-under-par 215.
Jia Captures Girls Title
In the girls division, Fay Jia delivered a composed performance to win the championship at even-par 216 with rounds of 71-74-71.
Jia entered the final round within striking distance but remained focused on her process rather than the leaderboard.
“I didn’t look at the leaderboard a single time,” Jia said. “I was just focused on my process and my commitment to each shot.”
Her disciplined approach paid off as she steadily worked her way to the top of the leaderboard.
“Whenever I felt like I was thinking about what I needed to do next, I told myself I was just on the driving range — aim at the target and commit to it,” she said.
Jia said the victory was especially meaningful as she continues her junior career.
“It means so much, especially this year. Winning this just proves to myself that I can do this.”
Three players tied for second at 4-over-par 220: Eileen Park, Macie Rasmussen, and Michelle Xing.
A World-Class Stage for Junior Golf
The Dustin Johnson World Junior has quickly become one of the most prestigious junior tournaments in the world, regularly attracting many of the highest-ranked junior golfers globally. The event’s growing reputation is part of a broader golf experience that continues to draw players, fans and visitors to the Myrtle Beach area each year.
For many competitors, the week offers an opportunity to test their skills on one of the region’s most respected courses while experiencing everything the destination has to offer.
TPC Myrtle Beach, designed by renowned architect Tom Fazio, provides a championship test with tree-lined fairways, strategic bunkering and challenging greens. The course has hosted numerous high-level amateur events and remains one of the Grand Strand’s most acclaimed layouts.
Myrtle Beach: Where the Next Generation of Stars Compete
Events like the Dustin Johnson World Junior showcase why Myrtle Beach continues to be a premier destination for competitive golf. With more than 80 golf courses along the Grand Strand, a variety of championship venues and a welcoming golf community, the region provides the perfect setting for players of every level.
For the young competitors who traveled from across the country and around the world to compete this week, the championship offered not only a chance to chase a title but also an opportunity to experience one of the game’s most celebrated destinations.
And as Lisle and Jia added their names to the tournament’s growing list of champions, Myrtle Beach once again demonstrated why the next generation of golf stars continues to come here to compete.
