Rain and incoming storms brought the first day of the 2026 17u PGA Jr. League championship to an early close at Twin Warriors Golf Club in New Mexico. Play was suspended and is scheduled to resume for round one at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Before the storms arrived, Team Utah (Lehi) and Team Florida (Orlando) were tied at 43-under par. Team Florida's final two pairs were finishing their final holes when play was halted. Team Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh) sat in third place at 34-under, followed by Team Texas (Austin) in fourth at 32-under with several holes remaining.
Team Utah Coach Tele Wightman, PGA, noted that his team had to make adjustments because the course was playing differently than in previous years. Team Florida Coach Kaden Wrisner, PGA, said despite the weather, his players performed well with great energy and putting.
The leaderboard also included Team New Jersey (Haworth) in fifth at 28-under, Team Connecticut (Middlefield) in sixth at 25-under, and Team Illinois (Schaumburg) in seventh at 23-under. Other teams in the top 12 include Team Kansas (Leawood) in eighth, Team California (Los Angeles) in ninth, Team Ohio (Columbus) in 10th, Team Gateway (Quincy, Ill.) in 11th, and Team Georgia (Newnan) in 12th.
The championship features twelve All-Star teams of junior golfers ages 14-17 competing in the high desert of New Mexico. Twin Warriors Golf Club has hosted the 17u Championship since its inception in 2023. The tournament opened Wednesday night with a welcome party at the Prairie Star Restaurant, featuring a guest appearance by 2026 Payne Stewart Award recipient and golf analyst Notah Begay III.
The tournament follows an 18-hole team aggregate stroke play scramble format for the first two days. The 36-hole aggregate team total will determine seeding for the semifinal rounds on Sunday, Oct. 25, which will be conducted in a match play format. The top four teams will advance to the semifinals, while the two remaining teams will compete for third place.
