Clairey Lin Wins Medalist Honors at U.S. Girls’ Junior

Record‑Breaking Performance

The 16‑year‑old Canadian captured medalist honors at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, North Carolina, posting a two‑round total of 13‑under 131. Her tally sits one stroke shy of the championship record and ties four other scores for the second‑lowest stroke‑play mark in event history. Taylor Karle set the previous low with a 130 in 2005 at Banbury Golf Club, Eagle, Idaho.

Lin’s round started with a 66 and followed up with a 65 (7‑under) on Tuesday, edging out China’s Yujie Liu by a single shot for the top spot. The achievement cements her position as the No. 1 seed heading into Wednesday’s match‑play segment.

Key Scores and Seeds

Amelia Harris made headlines by shooting a historic 28 on Monday’s back nine, though a 75 on Tuesday moved her down to the fifth seed in the match‑play bracket. The cutoff for advancement was 3‑over 147, the lowest qualifying score since the tournament switched to a 36‑hole stroke‑play format. A 6‑for‑2 playoff will finalize the field Wednesday morning.

These low‑score rounds reflect a trend of increasingly competitive play, with the USGA consistently delivering high‑quality tournaments. The tight scoring margins mean every birdie can dramatically alter seeding prospects.

Inspiring Legacy

Lin looks to follow last year’s Canadian champion, Aphrodite Deng, who also claimed the title. Having spoken briefly with Deng, Lin says the veteran’s play inspires her during practice sessions. “I’m lucky to be on the same team as her,” Lin noted, emphasizing the collaborative spirit among rising amateurs.

Her rise adds a new chapter to Canada’s growing presence in elite junior golf, suggesting continued competitiveness in future USGA events.