Junior PGA Championship
A junior major at PGA Frisco, boys and girls, 72 holes with two cuts
The story
The Junior PGA Championship is one of the recognized major championships of junior golf, conducted by the PGA of America. Its alumni list reads like a tour money list. On the boys' side it includes Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, and Will Zalatoris. On the girls' side it includes Lexi Thompson, Michelle Wie West, Cristie Kerr, Ariya Jutanugarn, Yuka Saso, and Anna Davis. Lexi Thompson won the girls' title in 2007 at age 12, the youngest champion in the event's history. What makes the Junior PGA a major is the combination of a 72-hole test, a section-qualified field, and two cuts. Players reach the championship by winning or placing at their PGA Section Championships, so the field is a genuine national cross-section of the best juniors, not a self-selected application pool. Surviving 72 holes and two cuts against that field is a serious accomplishment, and it is exactly the kind of endurance test college coaches want to see. The 2026 championship, the 50th edition, is staged July 28 to 31 at Fields Ranch at PGA Frisco in Frisco, Texas, the headquarters campus of the PGA of America. The event rotates across the Fields Ranch East and West courses for the opening rounds before finishing on the East Course. All competitors must be 18 or younger on the final day. Between the major status, the 50th-anniversary spotlight, and the PGA of America stage, this is one of the highest-profile weeks a junior can play.
The venue
The headquarters of the PGA of America, home to the Fields Ranch East and West courses. The 2026 Junior PGA Championship uses both layouts across the first two rounds before finishing on the East Course, giving competitors a taste of the same facility that hosts PGA of America professional and amateur championships.
Course setup: Fields Ranch plays as a modern, wind-exposed test with expansive fairways, strategic bunkering, and dramatic green complexes. The ever-present Texas wind is the primary defense, demanding trajectory control and disciplined course management. Both the East and West courses reward players who can flight the ball and avoid the big number over four rounds.
Format
The 50th Junior PGA Championship runs July 28-31, 2026. Boys and girls compete simultaneously in separate 156-player fields for a combined 312. The competition is 72 holes of stroke play with a cut after 36 holes to the low 60 and ties, and a second cut after 54 holes to the low 30 and ties. The girls compete for the Patty Berg Trophy.
Cut: Yes
Field
312 (156 boys / 156 girls) players · PGA Section qualifying plus exemptions
PGA Section champions plus exemptions
Coach verdict
Coaches at every level respect the Junior PGA as a major. The section-qualified field and the 72-hole, two-cut format mean a strong finish is a hard credential to fake. Results here move the needle in recruiting conversations nationwide.
Best for: For strong 15-18 year olds who can earn a section spot, plus elite 13-14 year olds. Eligibility runs to age 18. Reaching the field requires a top result at a PGA Section Championship, so it suits players already winning at the section and state level.
College scouting: National, every level
Competitive insight
Because entry runs through PGA Section Championships, the Junior PGA field is one of the most complete national samples in junior golf. That makes results here especially trustworthy to coaches. A player who finishes inside the top 30 across 72 holes and two cuts has proven both quality and stamina, the two things a coach most wants to confirm before offering a scholarship.
Application tip
There is no open application. Players qualify by finishing high enough at their PGA Section Championship, so the first step is entering the section qualifier through the local PGA Section. Confirm the section's qualifying pathway and deadlines early in the year, because that is the only route in for most juniors.
What makes it different
Notable alumni
Is it worth the travel?
high valueQualifying for a junior major is worth any travel cost. The field quality, the major status, and the PGA Frisco stage make this one of the best weeks a recruit can have. Frisco is served by the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.
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