Ashton McCulloch was the low Canadian on Wednesday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – Mexico holds a two-shot lead over South Africa following the opening round of the 2025 Men’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Mexico was led by Carlos Astiazaran who carded five birdies on his way to a 4-under 68. Eduardo Derbez added a 3-under 69 to give Mexico a combined score of 7-under. Gerardo Gomez’s 1-over 73 did not count to the team total on Wednesday. Right behind the leaders is South Africa who shot a collective 5-under, led by Christian Maas’ 6-under 66. Maas currently is one shot back in the individual standings. France is alone in third at 4-under, while host nation, Singapore is in a four-way tie for fourth with Australia, Sweden and Czechia at 3-under. Canada sits T13 with New Zealand, People’s Republic of China, Denmark and Spain at even par of the 36 countries competing for the Eisenhower Trophy.

Canada was led by Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont. who shot a bogey free 2-under 70 on Wednesday. Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. closed with a 2-over 74 and Isaiah Ibit of Orleans, Ont. finished with a 3-over 75.

Hiroshi Tai of Singapore fired the low round of the day with a 7-under 65 to take the 18-hole lead in the individual competition by one over Maas. Tai carded eight birdies on his round including three straight on Nos. 16 through 18. Behind Tai and Maas is Astiazaran who is solo third. Derbez is in a four-way tie for fourth with Timotej Formanek (Czechia), Filip Fahlberg Johnsson (Sweden) and Michael Mjaaseth (Norway) at 3-under. McCulloch is tied for eight with six others, including 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion, Declan O’Donovan (Australia) at 2-under in the 108-player field.

The second round of the Men’s World Amateur Team Championship will begin at 7:15 a.m. locally (Singapore) on Thursday and 7:15 p.m. EST Wednesday. Ibit will tee off at 8:21 a.m., Matthews at 8:32 a.m. and McCulloch at 8:43 a.m. local time.

For team and individual leaderboards following the opening round, please click here.

Canada finishes 10th; All three team members finish inside top 40 individually

SINGAPORE – The United States of America shot a collective 5-under on Saturday to win on a tiebreaker and claim the Espirito Santo Trophy at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The U.S. was led by Megha Ganne, the fifth ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), who shot a bogey free 4-under 68. Farah O’Keefe (no. 7 WAGR) and Catherine Park (no. 11 WAGR) both added rounds of 1-under 71 to move the Americans to 18-under, tied with the Republic of Korea and Spain. The U.S. won the tiebreaker as it had the lowest non-counting score from the team’s third player. The two lowest scores count towards the team total each day. The win gives the U.S. its 15th gold medal at the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship and its first since 2018.

Spain made the largest charge in the final round, shooting a collective 6-under thanks to a pair of 3-under 69s from Paula Martin Sampedro and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea. The 54-hole leaders, Republic of Korea shot a team score of 2-under on Saturday to move to 18-under. England and the People’s Republic of China finished T4 at 16-under.

Canada finished the championship in 10th at 7-under among the 36 countries competing as all three players finished with even par 72s on Saturday. Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. finished as the low Canadian at 3-under, good for T18 individually. The 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur champion posted rounds of 72-73-68-72-285. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. finished T29 at 1-under following rounds of 73-70-72-72-287 and Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. shot 70-76-72-72-290 to finish the championship in 38th at 2-over in the 108-player field.

Individually, Ying Xu of the People’s Republic of China fired a 5-under 67 on Saturday to win the individual championship by four shots of Rianne Mikhaela Malixi (Philippines), Sampedro (Spain) and Soomin Oh (Republic of Korea). Six golfers finished tied for fifth at 7-under.

For both the final team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The Men’s World Amateur Team Championship will also be contested in Singapore from October 8-11, for the final field that will compete for the Eisenhower Trophy, click here.

Michelle Xing led Canada on Friday with a 4-under 68

SINGAPORE – The Republic of Korea will head into Saturday’s final round with a three-shot lead at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Ajin Sung led the defending champions on Friday with a 4-under 68 through rainy conditions to help increase their team lead. Soomin Oh’s 1-over 73 also counted for the Republic of Korea. The United States of America is three back of the lead at 13-under. The People’s Republic of China and Spain are tied for fourth at 12-under and England and Sweden are tied for fifth at 11-under. The Republic of Korea is looking to become the first country to win consecutive titles since 2012, a feat it last accomplished winning the Espirito Santo Trophy in 2010 and 2012.

Ying Xu of the People’s Republic of China is 8-under and holds a one-shot lead heading into the final round over Rianne Mikhaela Malixi of the Philippines and Aira Nagasawa of Japan. Catherine Park (U.S.A.), Soomin Oh (Republic of Korea) and Paula Martin Sampedro (Spain) are tied for fourth at 6-under. Seven players are currently T7 at 5-under making for a crowded individual title race.

Canada currently sits T8 with Japan of the 36 countries competing at 8-under following a 4-under 140 on Friday, for its lowest team total of the tournament (142-143-140).

Michelle Xing led Canada on Friday with a 4-under 68 to move to 3-under and sits T18 individually for the tournament. Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. finished her round with five birdies, four of which came from her front nine. All three players have contributed to the team score over the first three rounds. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. and Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. both shot even par 72s. Kim is 1-under and T28, while Borovilos is 2-over and sits T40 in the 108-player field.

The championship sustained a 58-minute delay in the early afternoon due to dangerous weather in the area.

Individually, 20 players are within five shots or less of Xu’s lead. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The final round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Saturday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Friday). Borovilos will tee off at 11:30 a.m., Kim at 11:41 a.m. and Xing at 11:52 a.m. locally. For all tee times, please click here.

Lauren Kim led Canadians on Thursday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – The Republic of Korea are back atop the leaderboard after posting a 6-under on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead through 36 holes at the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

Soomin Oh and A Jin Sung each finished with 3-under 69s to lead the defending champions climb on Thursday. The Republic of Korea’s team total of 13-under leads the United States of America and Spain by two-strokes in the battle for the Espirito Santo Trophy. The People’s Republic of China is fourth at 7-under, with England rounding out the top five at 6-under. Canada sits in eighth at 3-under among the 36 nations competing.

Oh, who won the 2025 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship and both team and individual honours at the 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship is now tied for first individually at 7-under with Aira Nagasawa of Japan. Right behind the co-leaders are Spain’s Paula Martin Sampedro (-6) and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea (5). Catherine Park of the United States is tied with Goicoechea for fourth.

Canada was led by Lauren Kim’s 2-under 70 and Michelle Xing’s 1-over 73 on Thursday to keep Canada in the top ten of team championship, 10 shots back of the defending champions. Kim of Surrey, B.C. sits at 1-under and is T21 individually, six back of the co-leaders. Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. is 1-over for the tournament and is T35, with Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. sitting T42 at 2-over in the 108-player field.

Individually, 18 players are within five shots or less of the co-leaders. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The third round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Friday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Thursday). For tee times, please click here.

Vanessa Borovilos led Canadians on Wednesday with a 2-under 70

SINGAPORE – The United States stands atop the leaderboard following the opening round of the 31st Women’s World Amateur Team Championship at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The U.S. shot a collective score of 8-under to hold a one-shot lead over defending champion, Republic of Korea (Korea). Farah O’Keefe, ranked No. 7 on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), led the way with a 5-under 67 for the Americans and also leads the individual standings by one over a trio of players including 2024 World Junior Girls Golf Championship team and individual winner Soomin Oh of Korea, Aira Nagasawa (Japan) and Andrea Revuelta Goicoechea (Spain).

Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. led the way for Canada with a 2-under 70 and sits T9, just three shots back in the individual battle. Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. contributed to the team score with an even par 72. Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C. is also representing Canada and shot a 1-over 73 on Wednesday. The two lowest scores count towards the team total each day.

Borovilos grabbed back-to-back birdies on Hole Nos. 6 and 7 and closed her round bogey-free with 11 consecutive pars.

“Well, weather, there’s no doubt it’s hot… Honestly, this grass is so nice to hit off of. Being from Toronto, it’s a bit different. I’ve just enjoyed hitting shots off these fairways,” said Borovilos following her round on Wednesday as temperatures hit 34 degrees Celsius, feeling closer to 42 degrees Celsius with the heat index.

Trailing the United States (-8) and Korea (-7) are Spain at 5-under, England and the People’s Republic of China at 3-under, with Canada, Thailand and Japan tied for sixth at 2-under. Denmark and Sweden are tied for ninth at even par to round out the top 10.

Individually, 22 players are within four shots or less of O’Keefe’s lead. For both the team and individual leaderboard, please click here.

The second round will tee off at 7:15 a.m. (Thursday) in Singapore, 7:15 p.m. EDT (Wednesday). For tee times, please click here.

Women’s teams will compete October 1-4 and Men’s teams from
October 8-11 in Singapore

OAKVILLE, Ont. – Golf Canada announced Friday the roster that will represent Canada at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships, taking place at the Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) in Singapore.

The 31st playing of the Women’s competition for the Espirito Santo Trophy will run October 1-4, while the 34th edition of Men’s competition for the Eisenhower Trophy will follow from October 8-11.

Representing Canada on the women’s team will be Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C., Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. and Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. The women’s team will be led by coach Jeff MacDonald of Chester, N.S.

“We are very proud to name our women’s and men’s teams that will represent Canada at the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships this fall in Singapore,” said Emily Phoenix, Director, High Performance, Golf Canada. “Both teams are comprised with a good mix of experience on the national and international level and we are very confident both rosters will compete and represent Canada proudly.”

Kim is currently ranked No. 17 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and will be making her third appearance for Canada at the World Amateur Team Championships. Kim is heading into her junior season at the University of Texas following a memorable sophomore year. Kim captured her second collegiate title at the Betsy Rawls Invitational in March and earned eight top 10 finishes last season. Kim also competed in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (ANWA) for a second consecutive year, finishing T14 to tie the best-ever Canadian finish at the prestigious championship. Borovilos (No. 44 WAGR) recently set the record for the lowest round of stroke play in the 125-year history of the U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Championship earlier this month at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Ore. Borovilos also qualified and competed in the U.S. Women’s Open in May. Borovilos is heading into her sophomore year at Texas A&M University. Last year, she earned her first collegiate title at The Chevron Collegiate along with three additional runner-up finishes and was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team. Xing (No. 147 WAGR) recently won the 111th playing of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO. The 17-year-old was the only player under par for the tournament and won the Duchess of Connaught Gold Cup by four shots. All three players recently competed in the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open in Mississauga, Ont.

Team Canada on the men’s side will be represented by Ashton McCulloch of Kingston, Ont., Isaiah Ibit or Orleans, Ont. and Justin Matthews of Little Britain, Ont. The men’s team will be led by coach Benoit Lemieux of Montreal, Que.

McCulloch, the 2023 Canadian Men’s Amateur champion is currently the lowest ranked Canadian male on WAGR at No. 38. McCulloch is in his final year at Michigan State University and competed in his second consecutive RBC Canadian Open in June. McCulloch appeared in three tournaments before missing the remainder of his 2025 season with Michigan State due to injury. McCulloch enjoyed a successful 2024 season with Michigan State, earning a victory at the Johnnie-O at Sea Island and five top five finishes as well as finishing the year with the best scoring average in program history. He will be making his second consecutive appearance for Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship. Ibit is entering his second year at Kent State University. Last season, Ibit was named the MAC Freshman of the Year and earned a T3 finish at the Hal Williams Collegiate. Ibit (No. 402 WAGR) was runner-up last month at the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship after losing in a playoff. The 2024 Canadian Junior Boys champion will be making his debut at the World Amateur Team Championship. Matthews will also be making his debut in October. Matthews (No. 237 WAGR) is entering his senior year at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was named a 2024-25 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar. Last season, Matthews earned a pair of collegiate top five finishes including a runner-up at the Gators Invitational.

The World Amateur Team Championships are a biennial international amateur golf tournament that is conducted by the International Golf Federation. Both events consist of 72 holes of stroke play with teams of three players. Each round, the two lowest scores will comprise the team score for that round.

In 2023, the Republic of Korea won the Espirito Santo Trophy for the fifth time. Canada has earned four silver medals in tournament history in 1966, 1978, 2004 and 2014. The 2014 was represented by 14-time LPGA Tour tournament winner, Brooke Henderson, Brittany Marchand and Augusta James.

The United States will be defending the Eisenhower Trophy, after winning the title for the 16th time in 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Canada won the 1986 gold medal and was represented by Mark Brewer, Brent Franklin, Jack Kay Jr., Warren Sye and was captained by Doug Brewer. Canada has also earned five additional silver medals (2014, 2006, 1978, 1964, 1962) and one bronze in 1968.

For more information on the 2025 World Amateur Team Championships, please click here.

England’s Charlotte Naughton holds on to win individual honours with crucial par save on 18

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – The Republic of Korea (Korea) battled the swirling winds but successfully defended their title, becoming the first back-to-back champions in tournament history at the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont., on Saturday.

Korea opened the final round with a 10-shot cushion but dropped a couple strokes early in the day to bring the field back into contention. In the end, they persevered through the elements to win the world championship for a record fourth time in the tournament’s ten-year history.

“This week they performed very well, especially the first one for Yeonseo Kim, it was her first time to come to Canada and the first time for a national team event but still she played tremendously,” said Korea Coach Min Naon. “Today, they knew their score, so they tried to not make big numbers, and it worked. It wasn’t an easy day for us, but they hung on to the end.”

On Saturday, Yun Seo Yang’s even par 72 and Seojin Park’s 1-over 73 counted towards the team’s total, with Korea finishing the tournament at 20-under (141-135-135-145-556), winning by seven strokes over past champions, Team Canada 1 and Spain.

This was the third year for both Naon and Park representing Korea at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and the coach was reflective on her time working with Park and last year’s individual champion, Soomin Oh.

“Very special to me. Seojin and Soomin were my first girls that I worked with, and they really love to come to Canada and Golf Canada, and we really appreciate it every year and I can see they’re growing up so that’s very good,” she said.

The win gives Korea two championships along with a runner-up finish in the three years that Naon has coached the team.

“We play many big tournaments but for me, this event is very special. Three years ago, when I came here, it was the first event, and winning again is very special for me.”

As Korea battled on Saturday, Team Canada 1 shot up the leaderboard led by Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C.’s 3-under 69 and Shauna Liu’s even par 72. Canada continued to chip away at the lead, pulling to within five shots of the leaders as they made the turn on Saturday.

“We got off to a pretty good start today and when we made the turn we got it to 15-under and all the girls were playing really well and I looked and saw Korea was coming back maybe a little bit so there was a second there I thought maybe we could get this done, because I know the girls are capable of shooting a really low number,” said Team Canada 1 Coach Jeff MacDonald.

Like Naon, MacDonald was coaching in his third tournament with Team Canada 1 and have earned three successful podium finishes, winning gold in 2023 and consecutive runner-up finishes.

MacDonald praised his team’s depth and resiliency this week, “they’re great teammates. They really play for each other, which is great. Canada 2 had a great result this week, which is so encouraging for our program, it shows the depth that we have, and things are looking good.” Team Canada 1 was also represented by Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont.

Xing and MacDonald will also represent Canada at the World Amateur Team Championship in Singapore next month along with Vanessa Borovilos of Etobicoke, Ont. and Lauren Kim of Surrey, B.C.

Team Canada 2 had their best finish in tournament history finishing in sixth place at 8-under and were led by Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C. who finished the tournament at 9-under and as runner-up in the individual component. Ding’s 1-under 71 and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta.’s even par 72 counted for the team on Saturday. Team Canada 2 was also represented by Ruihan Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C.

Two-time champions, Spain shared runner-up honours with Canada 1 at 13-under. France and England tied for fourth at 9-under. Mexico (6-under), Italy (2-under), Colombia and Sweden (even par) rounded out the top 10 and all receive exemptions into next year’s championship.

The individual championship provided much drama in the final round as England’s Charlotte Naughton held on to win the gold medal and with it an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open.

“It feels amazing, I am actually speechless,” said Naughton shortly after having water dumped on her by her teammates on the 18th green. “I am really excited to play against the top golfers in the world,” she added in regard to her exemption.

Naughton opened the day with a two-shot lead over Kim but opened with bogey on No. 1 to tighten the leaderboard although not for very long. She carded back-to-back birdies on Nos. 2 and 3 to open a four-shot lead over Kim who bogeyed the third. Naughton’s lead increased to five with another birdie on No 6. Playing ahead of Naughton was Ding who moved into solo second and within four of the leader following a birdie of her own on No. 8.

Ding’s birdie at No. 12 coupled with a bogey from Naughton on 14 trimmed her lead to two with only few holes remaining. Ding later dropped a stroke on 18 to finish at 9-under. Naughton’s double bogey on the par 3 17th meant she was only carrying a one-shot lead heading to the 18th.

On the final hole, Naughton’s approach found a green side bunker. As the crowd watched in muted anticipation, Naughton’s perfect sand save gave her an opportunity to make par and win the title.

Putting had been the strongest part of her game all week in St. Catharines, and the flat stick did not fail her on 18 as she coolly rolled it in for the win.

“It was very stressful out there. I made a lot of up and downs and holed a few putts but towards the back nine I had a lot of chances, but the ball just wouldn’t go in the hole. So, when I knew I had to hole out it was a nice straight up hill putt, so it was good,” said a relieved Naughton.

Naughton finished the tournament at 10-under following rounds of 70-66-68-74-278 and while she has enjoyed a successful season, this win has moved to a prominent spot in her young career, “definitely number one,” she said with a big smile.

There won’t be much rest for Naughton as she will now head to the 2025 Junior Ryder Cup at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. next week to represent both England and Europe.

Adriana Garcia Terol (Spain), Lin and Park finished tied for third at 7-under. Nagore Martinez (Spain) and Kim finished tied for sixth at 6-under.

In total, a field of 23 teams and 69 players in total competed for team and individual honours. Naughton, Ding, Garcia Terol, Lin and Park will also earn exemptions into the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont., July 20-24, 2026.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

For the final team and individual leaderboard, following the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, please click here.

England’s Charlotte Naughton maintains individual lead, Yunseo Kim
two back after setting women’s competitive course record on Friday

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – The Republic of Korea (Korea) are looking to become the first country to repeat as champions, following another strong performance on Friday. Korea will take a 10-shot lead into the final round at the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

For the second straight day, Korea was led by Yeonseo Kim who recorded a 7-under 65 to set the new women’s competitive course record at St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.

All three Korean players were under par again on Friday, with Yun Seo Yang’s 2-under 70 contributing to the team total of 9-under on the day, pushing the defending champions to 21-under overall and leading France by 10 strokes. Teammate Seojin Park carded a 1-under 71; the two lowest scores of the day count towards the team total.

“I am really proud of my team,” said Republic of Korea Coach Min Naon. “Some girls played their best round, and some did not but they hung on to the end and try to make no bogeys and wait for birdies.”

Even with a sizeable lead, Naon will talk to her team tonight and said they will “perform like it’s the first day” going into Saturday.

Spain got off to a hot start in the morning to pull even with Korea through the opening five holes, until Korea regained the lead through six and did not look back, increasing it to six strokes through the opening nine and eventually making it 10 as the third round came to a close.

Behind the leaders is a crowded leaderboard with France currently sitting second at 11-under, Team Canada 1 jumped into a tie for third with Spain at 10-under after firing a team combined 6-under on moving day. Team Canada 1 was led by Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. who shot a 4-under 68 and Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont.’s 2-under 70. Team Canada 1 is also represented by Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont.

England was also hot on Friday, firing a combined 7-under to move to 10-under overall and into a tie with Canada 1 and Spain. Team Canada 2 currently sits in sixth at 7-under and was led by Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C., who recorded seven birdies on her way to a 6-under 66. Team Canada 2 is also represented by Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. and Ruihan Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C.

Ding is enjoying the experience of her first World Junior Girls Championship, after a busy summer having played in the CPKC Women’s Open last month in Mississauga, Ont.

“Playing a lot of different of events has given me a lot more experience and confidence which hopefully I can use to go forward,” said Ding. “It’s been a lot of fun, it’s really nice to have teammates and also Jenn being out here with us.”

Korea will play with France and England in the final three groups on Saturday, click here for the final round groups and tee times.

One day after tying the women’s competitive course record at St. Catharines, England’s Charlotte Naughton carded a 4-under 68 on Friday to move to 12-under for the championship and takes a two-shot lead over Kim into Saturday’s final round.

Naughton shook off an early bogey on No. 3 with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 5 and 6 and went on to add three more on the back nine. The bogey on three was the only blemish on her scorecard over the past two days.

The flat stick was working again for Naughton on Friday, holing two very large birdie putts as she continued to have good control over her pace.

“It was a bit of a different round today I think…didn’t hit as many greens so short game was very good today, so I saved myself a lot,” added Naughton as early morning winds made for some tougher conditions for the field.

Heading into the final round, Naughton will focus on “sticking to her game plan and trying her best.”

In hot pursuit of the leader is Kim, who’s record-setting round was highlighted by seven birdies including five straight from Nos. 5 through 9. The round of 65 was also a personal best for Kim who is representing Korea for the first time in her young career.

“She is really proud of herself and to represent Korea,” said Kim through coach Min Naon.

Naon added that Kim “felt good about her putting” and that coupled with hitting a lot of greens through solid iron play and her focus contributed to her low round.

While chasing Naughton and the individual lead, nothing will change for Kim heading into Saturday, “she will not think about the result and just do her best until the end,” added Naon.

The duo will be playing together in the final group off the first tee at 10:20 a.m. on Saturday.

Ding and Park are tied for third at 8-under, with Nagore Martinez of Spain in fifth at 6-under.

In total, a field of 23 teams, 69 players in total are competing for the team and individual championships. The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta., August 17-23, 2026. The top three players and ties will also earn exemptions into the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont., July 20-24, 2026.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

For the both the team and individual leaderboard, following the third round of the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, please click here.

England’s Charlotte Naughton fires low round of 66 to take individual lead

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – The Republic of Korea soared up the leaderboard to take the team lead following the second round of the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

All three members of the defending champions fired under par rounds to shoot a collective score of -9 under to put the Republic of Korea (Korea) into the lead at 12-under, four shots ahead of opening round leaders, France and two-time champions, Spain.

“All three girls played really good today, and it seems like they’re getting used to the course,” said Republic of Korea Coach Min Naon. “The grass is different, compared to Korea. I thought the wind was going to pick up in the afternoon but it was a nice day so they could play their own golf, so it’s good.”

Yeonseo Kim is not only making her debut at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, but also the first time she’s representing her country.

Kim recorded a bogey-free 5-under 67 on Thursday to help lead Korea, while playing with an injured finger, that occurred earlier in the week. “Her round was incredible…she has very good concentration and focus,” added Naon.

Seojin Park, who is making her third appearance at the world championship, moved into second in the individual standings following a 4-under 68 to improve to 7-under for the tournament. Yun Seo Yang also shot an under-par round with a 3-under 69. The two lowest scores count towards the team’s collective score each day.

Both the team and individual leaderboards changed throughout the day, and Spain found themselves on top for much of the morning. At days end, Spain shot a combined score of 6-under led by a pair of 3-under 69’s from Adriana Garcia Terol and Nagore Martinez.

“I am very proud of them. They played very good today and also yesterday, they are a great team and get along very well,” said Spain’s Coach Adriana Zwanck.

“We also need to be calm and patient because this is golf, I don’t like to cheer too soon. I am going to try to make them feel relaxed and keep practicing because the other teams are really good and anything can happen at the end of the tournament,” added Zwanck.

Opening round leaders, France shot a team total of 1-under, led by Louise Landgraf’s 2-under 70 and Giselle Zhao’s 1-over 73. Italy jumped into fourth at 6-under following a pair of 2-under 70’s from Gemma Simeoni and Natalia Aparicio on Thursday. Team Canada 1 and Colombia are tied for fifth at 4-under while Team Canada 2 and England are tied for seventh at 3-under.

“I think we’ve come a long way in our junior girls’ program in terms of depth. I definitely feel that we have more depth and more talent coming up in our pipeline and just really looking forward to seeing what they can do for the rest of the week,” said Team Canada 2 Coach, Jennifer Ha following her team’s combined score of 5-under for the second round.

Ruihan Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C. led the way with a 3-under 69 and Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C. added a 2-under 70 to count for the team. Team Canada 2 is also represented by three-time tournament participant Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta.

Ha added that the team will try to keep momentum going while working on a couple things.

“One of their big goals was to be able to play with each other, the Canada 1 and Canada 2 teams on the last couple days so hopefully that feeds as motivation and gets them to be in the final few groups the rest of the week,” she added.

Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (Team Canada 1) tied Wang for the Canadian low round on Thursday. Xing closed her day with back-to-back birdies, carding five in total on her final nine holes of the day. Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. shot a 2-under 70 and Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. recorded an even par 72.

England’s Charlotte Naughton carded the low round of the day with a bogey-free 6-under 66 to take the individual lead in St. Catharines.

Naughton opened with two birdies on the front nine before another on No. 12 and then added three straight from 15 through 17 and closed with par to move to 8-under for the tournament and now holds a one-shot lead over Park.

“I played really steady, and I am really happy to finish with three birdies in a row then a par. I played well, I just held all my birdie putts and had very good lag putts as well. Yesterday, I struggled a bit with the pace but today I definitely got it,” said Naughton following her round.

Naughton has enjoyed a successful season thus far. In May, she became the first ever English champion of the German Girls’ International Amateur Championship and was runner-up at The R&A Girls Amateur Championship in Wales last month. The 17-year-old will be representing England and Europe next week at the 2025 Junior Ryder Cup at Nassau Country Club and Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York and added that the opportunity means a lot to her.

“I think a lot of my tournaments this season went towards qualifying and I think this is a great challenge out here which is going to be similar to the Ryder Cup with the rough and the fast greens which we’re not to use to back at home in England.”

Garcia Terol is 5-under and is in third alone. Simeoni, Aparicio, Yang, Kim and Martinez are all tied for fourth at 3-under. Ding, June Weckman (Finland), Maria Errichetto (Colombia) and first round leader, Alice Kong (France) are tied for ninth at 2-under.

In total, a field of 23 teams, 69 players in total are competing for the team and individual championships. The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta., August 17-23, 2026. The top three players and ties will also earn exemptions into the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont., July 20-24, 2026.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

For the both the team and individual leaderboard, following the second round of the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, please click here.

Alice Kong leads individual standings by two after opening round 67

ST. CATHARINES, Ont. – France sits atop the team leaderboard after shooting a collective 7-under to lead Colombia by three following the opening round of the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship at St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

Alice Kong fired an opening round 5-under 67 to not only help put France ahead but also take the lead in the individual competition as well. Teammate Giselle Zhao’s 2-under 70 also counted towards the team score on Wednesday. Louise Landgraf closed her day with a 2-over 74 for France. The two lowest scores count towards the team’s combined total for the day.

France’s Coach Marine Monnet-Melocco praised her team’s spirit as an important factor for a strong opening day but cautioned there is a long way to go.

“We appreciate the day. They respect the plan, they respect the process, they respect everything. They fight on every shot, and I am very happy, but it’s not finished, it’s only one round.”

Monnet-Melocco added that while the course is not easy, both Kong and Zhao knew when and when not to be aggressive. Monet-Melocco followed Landgraf on Wednesday and while her score did not contribute on the day, her coach was pleased with the finish, “she fought on every shot and finished minus one on the last four holes and that was really good because we are three on the team and it’s very important,” said Monnet-Melocco.

Last year, France finished in a tie for fourth, matching their best finish in championship history which was previously reached in 2015 and 2017.

Right behind the leaders is Colombia, who held the lead throughout the opening round before finishing three back at 4-under. All three members of Colombia were under par, led by Valeria Rubio who held the clubhouse lead briefly following a 3-under 69. Both Luciana Medina Ramos and Maria Errichetto shot rounds of 1-under 71.

Colombia Coach Paola Moreno said her team is very happy to be competing in St. Catharines, “it’s a high-class event so for us to have under par rounds it’s fantastic and we’re truly truly happy.

“There’s a lot of golf left, to be honest. It was a great start, we can be happy for today but be ready for tomorrow. It’s three more days and so many amazing teams here, super talented, we just have to keep our heads in the game and play well,” she added.

The Republic of Korea currently sits in third at 3-under. Seojin Park, the lone returning player from last year’s championship winning team led the way with a 3-under 69, while Yun Seon Yang’s even par 72 also counted toward the team total. The defending champions are also represented by Yeonseo Kim (2-over 74).

Past champions, Italy and Spain are tied for fourth at 2-under to round out the top five. Team Canada 1 currently sits in eighth at 1-over while Team Canada 2 is tied for ninth with Austria at 2-over.

Team Canada 1 is represented by Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. (1-under 71), Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C. (2-over 74) and Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. (3-over 75).

Team Canada 2 is comprised of Clara Ding of White Rock, B.C. (even par 72), Kendria Wang of Vancouver, B.C. (2-over 74) and Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alta. (3-over 75).

In the individual competition, Kong set the tone early in the day, opening with an eagle on the par 4 first hole and followed it up with back-to-back birdies to sit 4-under through three. While Kong cited being “stressed at the driving range” all was quickly forgotten with her eagle.

“I played so good on the first hole, my drive was great and hit my wedge, it was a good shot, and my coach was watching it, and she was like yes, it’s so good and I watched the ball rolling slowly…I was so happy, it was a good start,” said Kong.

Kong closed her front nine at 3-under as the individual leaderboard constantly changed throughout the morning and early afternoon. She recorded eight consecutive pars from Nos. 9 through 16 before two close approach shots allowed her to close with back-to-back birdies and put both herself and her team into the lead. Kong echoed her coach’s comments on the spirit of the team.

“They are the best teammates, we are such a great team, our coach is super good also and the goal is to win,” added Kong.

Kong is playing in her second consecutive World Junior Girls Golf Championship, and while she had fun with her team last year, she was dealing with jet lag and went on to finish in 20th individually.

“I love this tournament, so I am very happy to be here one more time,” she said.

Rubio and Park are trailing Kong by two-shots heading into Thursday. Rubio shook off what she described as a “difficult” start with the driver to finish strong, highlighted with an eagle on the par 4 11th.

“I had great putts, my eagle at 11 was a great drive into the green and then a great putt. I just kept going and I had a lot of fun on the course today and I think it was an amazing round.”

Rubio competed in last year’s event, finishing T57 and helped Colombia finish 15th, she was complimentary of her team’s opening round.

“Very good performance, we are a very good team and help each other and that is key about being a team is that you can support each other,” she added.

Charlotte Naughton (England), Adriana Garcia Terol (Spain) and Zhao are tied for fourth at 2-under. Liu and five others are tied for seventh at 1-under.

In total, a field of 23 teams, 69 players in total are competing for the team and individual championships. The individual champion will receive an exemption into the 2026 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place at Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alta., August 17-23, 2026. The top three players and ties will also earn exemptions into the 112th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, taking place at The Toronto Golf Club in Mississauga, Ont., July 20-24, 2026.

Several players who have competed in the World Junior Girls Golf Championship have gone on to great success on the LPGA Tour. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner and Canada’s winningest professional golfer, finished fourth in the individual competition at the inaugural championship in 2014.

Other notable competitors who went on to become LPGA Tour winners include Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand who won back-to-back World Junior titles in 2018 and 2019 as well as Yuka Saso of the Philippines who won the 2016 World Junior title. 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States competed in the inaugural tournament in 2014. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia and Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden. Hye-Jin Choi from the Republic of Korea won both the 2015 team and individual championship at the World Junior Girls Golf Championship and has earned several top five finishes on the LPGA Tour.

For the both the team and individual leaderboard, following the opening round of the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, please click here.