Lin Lands Second Straight US Girls' Junior Title for Canada
North Carolina, United States: Following a dominating week of golf, Canada’s Clairey Lin put the finishing touches on her masterpiece with a convincing 5&4 victory over Amelie Zalsman in the 36-hole championship match of the 77th US Girls’ Junior Championship at Old Chatham Golf Club.
Durham, North Carolina, United States: Following a dominating week of golf, Canada’s Clairey Lin put the finishing touches on her masterpiece with a convincing 5&4 victory over Amelie Zalsman in the 36-hole championship match of the 77th US Girls’ Junior Championship at Old Chatham Golf Club.
The 16-year-old from British Columbia, who now resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California, became the second Canadian to claim the prestigious Glenna Collett Vare Trophy, also won by World Golf Hall of Famers Mickey Wright, JoAnne Gunderson Carner, Amy Alcott and Nancy Lopez, as well as current LPGA Tour stars Lexi Thompson, Minjee Lee, Ariya Jutanugarn and Rose Zhang.
A year ago, compatriot Aphrodite Deng took home the title at Atlanta Athletic Club, but she chose not to defend in order to compete in last week’s Amundi Evian Championship in France.
With the victory, Lin became the first medallist since Zhang (2021 at Columbia Country Club) to win the US Girls’ Junior. Lin finished 36 holes of stroke play with a 13-under 131 total, carding rounds of 66 and 65. The 36-hole total was one off the championship record.
“I’m still processing, but yes, I’ve dreamed of it my entire life. I’ve always wanted to be on the big stage and inspire some people and work hard and see it pay off, and to be able to do that today is amazing,” said Lin following the victory.
“It was a tiring [match] the entire way. I think it [came down to] just persevering more than anything, not let anything get to me, not let the bad shots take too big a toll on anything mental, I kept moving and knew that it’s a 36-hole match and anything can happen,” added Lin, who took a three-up lead into lunch.
Lin delivered a final birdie on the par-five 14th in the afternoon – her 12th of the 32-hole match – as Zalsman had a chance to match but missed a three-foot putt, sealing the victory for the Canadian.
The champion also showed plenty of excitement learning about her exemption into the 2027 US Women’s Open at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.
“It means so much. My first Major, my first pro event. It’s going to be amazing to tee it up with the pros and learn from them and play on an even bigger stage.”
Despite the loss, Zalsman secured her best finish in five US Girls’ Junior appearances. Her previous best came in 2024, when she advanced to the Round of 32.
The runner-up finish also earned her exemptions into the 2026 US Women’s Amateur and the 2027 US Girls’ Junior. However, Zalsman had already secured a place in next month’s US Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course in Ooltewah, Tennessee, by virtue of being among the top 50 players in the World Amateur Golf Ranking as of June 3.
