Canada’s Clairey Lin ties women’s competitive course record at Brampton Golf Club to lead individually
BRAMPTON, Ont. – The United States got off to a hot start and Team Canada I finished strong to sit tied atop the leaderboard following the opening round of the 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship, presented by BFL CANADA at Brampton Golf Club in Brampton, Ont. on Wednesday.
The United States (U.S.) and Team Canada I both finished with collective rounds of 7-under and hold a three-shot lead over Sweden. The U.S. were among the first off on Wednesday and were led by Anna Fang of San Diego, Calif. who shot a 4-under 67 and Mia Clausen of Carlsbad, Calif. who shot a 3-under 68. Teammate, Amelie Zalsman of St. Petersburg, Fla. who is celebrating her birthday today, finished with an even par 71.
“They just played really solid, hit really great approach shots and made some really key putts as well but I think they just played steady golf, made smart decisions,” said U.S. coach Tiffany Joh.
While there is a lot of golf to be played Joh added that the team will continue to keep trying to make smart decisions and play solid golf while praising the team’s camaraderie.
“We’re just really fortunate that they’re a great group of kids and they all get along and it makes our job very very easy.”
After a solid opening day Joh added the message will be much the same as it was at last night’s team dinner prior to the start of play, which will be to enjoy it and take advantage of the fun opportunity they have.
“It’s not everyday that you get to play in a tournament with so many other countries and get exposed to so many other cultures.
“A lot of us that played some international golf, I don’t remember any of the scores, I don’t remember any of the finishes, but I do remember some of the really good friendships and relationships that I built during that time so enjoy the week,” she added.
As the clubhouse leaders concluded their rounds, the hosts were making noise on the back nine. Team Canada I fired a collective back nine score of 7-under, led by Clairey Lin of Langley, B.C.
Lin fired a 5-under 66 to tie the women’s competitive course record at Brampton Golf Club, previously set by Canada’s own Brooke Henderson at the 2014 Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship and Denisa Vodickova of Czechia at the 2023 World Junior Girls Golf Championship.
Shauna Liu of Maple, Ont. added a 2-under 69 and Nobelle Park of Oakville, Ont. finished with an even par 71 on Wednesday.
“It’s a great opening day, it’s a long week but I remember last year we got behind early and it’s really hard to get back. I saw the Americans were playing really well early and we had a lot of golf left in the day, I had a lot of trust in the girls to get it done and they started rolling on the back nine,” said Jeff MacDonald, Team Canada I coach.
MacDonald added that Canada played well on the front nine but couldn’t get anything to drop but credited the team’s patience and sticking to the game plan that produced a strong finish.
For MacDonald, it’s a return to the site where Canada earned gold for the first time in tournament history back in 2023 but while Brampton provides “good vibes” he is not spending much time thinking about it.
“It’s a new experience for these girls and I just want to make it about them and it’s different weather this time, it’s a bit warmer so the ball is traveling a little further so some of the lines were taking off tees and clubs in have changed a little bit so I’m just trying to stay with this group in this moment and hope for the best.”
Sweden trails the co-leaders at 4-under, Germany is fourth at 3-under with two-time champions, Spain rounding out the top five at 1-under.
Lin’s late surge propelled her into the solo lead in the individual competition by one over Fang and Luisa Hartmann of Germany.
Lin credited her putter and wedge play on the back nine that helped her card five birdies including three straight on holes 15 through 17.
“I didn’t have a good ball striking day today and I would normally say that’s the strength of my game and today just wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Especially down that stretch on the back nine, I had my short game working well which was nice,” said Lin.
On No. 16 Lin’s tee shot on the par-3 found a greenside bunker. In talking with MacDonald, she had hoped it wasn’t a plugged lie as she experienced earlier in her round. The lie provided to be a good one as she chipped in for birdie and then join the individual leaders before adding another at the 17th to take the solo lead.
Lin closed with a par on 18 to end the day with the individual lead and ensure Team Canada I remained tied for the team lead. Following her round, she reflected on joining impressive company after tying the women’s competitive course record.
“It feels great sharing something with Brooke especially, is super cool and we came out to this course two years ago to do a training camp for the national team and since then I’ve really liked this course so to be able to come out and shoot a low score is awesome.”
Lin was also complimentary of her teammates and how close of a group they are.
“They’re amazing, they’re some of my best friends, I love this team, I always have, ever since I got on the national team not even just for this event, I think it’s awesome how we’re all there for each other and we’re just a great group and to play team events like this and represent my country and represent my teammates is just super fun,” she added.
Clausen and Lauren Crump of England are T4 at 3-under, while Liu and four others are T6 at 2-under.
In total, 24 teams are battling for the team championship while also competing for individual honours, with the individual champion earning an exemption into the 2027 CPKC Women’s Open, taking place at The Royal Ottawa Golf Club in Gatineau, Que., August 18-22.
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. Other former World Junior competitors who have gone on to win on the LPGA Tour include Hannah Green of Australia, Maja Stark and Linn Grant of Sweden and 2023 CPKC Women’s Open winner, Megan Khang of the United States.
Admission to 2026 World Junior Girls Golf Championship is free for all spectators. For more information on the championship, please click here. To follow the leaderboard during the tournament, please click here.