Historic Canadian Golf Victory.
Canadian Clairey Lin Wins U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, Making History with Back-to-Back Wins.
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Key Points
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Lin was born in British Columbia and currently resides in Southern California.
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She was ranked 77th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings entering the event.
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Lin birdied each of the 18 holes at Old Chatham over the course of the competition.
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Her 13-under 131 stroke-play total was one shot off the championship record and tied for the second-lowest stroke-play score in tournament history.
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Lin said, "I've dreamed of it my entire life," underscoring the milestone of her win.
Sixteen-year-old Clairey Lin of Canada has won the U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, defeating Amelie Zalsman 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina. Comox Valley Record reported that Lin becomes the second consecutive Canadian to claim the title — a first in USGA history for back-to-back champions from the same country in any championship.
Lin entered the week ranked 77th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings. She left it as a champion. "I've dreamed of it my entire life," she said after the win.
A Dominant Week From Start to Finish
Lin did not just win — she dominated. The Langley, B.C. native shot a 13-under 131 during stroke play, earning medalist honors. Kelowna Capital News noted that total was one shot off the all-time championship record and tied for the second-lowest stroke-play score in tournament history.
Over the full competition, Lin birdied all 18 holes at Old Chatham at least once. In the final, she handled Zalsman with authority, closing out the match 5 and 4 — meaning she won with five holes to spare and four holes still to play.
Canada Makes USGA History Back-to-Back
Lin's win follows Aphrodite Deng's victory at the same event last year. That makes Canada the first country ever to produce back-to-back champions in any USGA championship. Vancouver Island Free Daily reported it marks a historic run for Canadian junior golf on the world stage.
Lin is a member of Team Canada Next, the country's elite development program for young golfers. Though born in British Columbia, she currently lives and trains in Southern California, giving her access to year-round competition.
Runner-Up Zalsman Eyes Wake Forest in 2027
Zalsman, 17, from St. Petersburg, Florida, made her fifth appearance at the U.S. Girls' Junior. That level of experience is rare. Despite the lopsided final, she has a clear future ahead — she is committed to play college golf at Wake Forest University starting in 2027, according to Saanich News.
Win Earns Lin a Spot at 2027 U.S. Women's Open
The title came with a major reward. As the stroke-play medalist and match-play champion, Lin earned an exemption into the 2027 U.S. Women's Open at Inverness Club. That gives her a direct entry into one of golf's most prestigious events before she even turns 18. Campbell River Mirror called the win the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for the young Canadian.
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