USNDP announces 2027 U.S. National Junior Team roster

LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (Nov. 4, 2026) - The United States National Development Program (USNDP) today announced the roster for the 2027 U.S. National Junior Team, a pillar of the USNDP, which was established in 2023 to create a unified pathway designed to nurture the potential of America’s top players. Building on last year’s team of 24 athletes, the 2027 roster features 12 boys and 13 girls from 10 states, representing the country’s elite junior golf talent.

Eleven of the 25 players were members of the 2026 team, led by U.S. Women’s Amateur champion Asterisk Talley, who returns for a fourth consecutive year.

Members of the team receive year-round support, including world-class coaching and analysis, sports psychology services, sports performance training and nutritional guidance.

Last year’s team members made 41 collective appearances in USGA championships, led by the U.S. Girls’ Junior (10), U.S. Amateur (8) and U.S. Junior Amateur (7).

“We’re very excited about this group and to announce the fourth roster of the U.S. National Junior Team,” said Chris Zambri, head coach of the USNDP. “It’s especially rewarding to see so many athletes earn this opportunity after being part of their state junior teams. That progression is exactly what we envisioned when creating a pathway that gives young players opportunities to develop, compete and ultimately reach the national level. We’re excited to welcome this group and continue building on the momentum of the program.”

Six of the 14 newcomers were elevated from USNDP State Junior Team programs, including Grayson Baucom (Team North Carolina), Connor Wolfe (Team South Carolina), Zude Xu (Team Southern California), Hailey Kim (Team Southern California), Amber Lee (Team Southern California) and Alexa Takai (Team Hawaii). Last month, the USGA announced the expansion of the State Junior Team program to all 50 states, years ahead of the original goal of nationwide adoption by 2033.

Two members of the 2027 U.S. National Junior Team are also part of the USNDP Grant Program. Last year’s USNJT also featured two Grant Athletes. Applications for 2027 grants closed on Oct. 31. The new class of recipients will be announced in the spring. In 2026, the USGA distributed more than $1.1M to 124 junior golfers and their families to assist with costs related to reaching the next stages of the competitive game, including tournament travel, coaching and equipment.

“Being on the USNJT has helped me grow as a person and a player on and off the course,” said Mia Clausen, who returns to the USNJT for her second year. “The support I’ve gotten from everyone on this team the past year has been incredible. I’ve been able to make lifetime memories at camps and tournaments with some of my best friends.”

2027 U.S. National Junior Team Roster – Girls

2027 U.S. National Junior Team Roster – Boys

Throughout the year, U.S. National Junior Team athletes take part in events designed to help develop their games, highlighted by biannual spring and fall training camps. At camp, athletes establish new baselines in physical testing, analyze and calibrate their yardages and distances, meet with performance coaches and nutritionists and compete against each other to sharpen their match-play skills. For the third consecutive year, select members of the team also competed in a World Amateur Golf Ranking®-sanctioned international friendly match. In April, the USA Team defeated Team Sweden, 15.5-8.5, at Vaquero Club in Westlake, Texas, in a two-day competition consisting of mixed foursomes, mixed four-ball and singles matches.

USNJT members also represented their country on one of the biggest stages in amateur golf, when Mia Clausen, Anna Fang and Amelie Zalsman won the gold medal for the United States at the World Junior Girls Championship. The trio combined to shoot 15 under par over four rounds of stroke play to win by six strokes. It was the first time since 2014 that the USA won the event.

Talley won the 2026 U.S. Women’s Amateur at The Honors Course, was a member of the victorious USA Curtis Cup team, won the Junior Invitational and the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational, competed in the U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally, The Chevron Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship and finished T-4 at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur. She is currently the top-ranked junior in the WAGR at No. 4.

Grace Carter is entering her second season on the U.S. National Junior Team. In 2026, the Florida native finished as the runner-up at the Nelly Invitational and the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Women’s Western Junior Championship, reached the Round of 64 at both the U.S. Women’s Amateur and U.S. Girls’ Junior and finished as the runner-up alongside fellow USNJT member Alexandra Snyder at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball. She also represented the United States at the Junior Solheim Cup and competed in the Wyndham Cup.

Jessy Huebner returns to the U.S. National Junior Team for the third straight year, this time as the top-ranked player on the boys’ side. Huebner won the 2026 Wyndham Invitational, advanced to the Round of 32 at the U.S. Junior Amateur and reached the Round of 16 at the North & South Amateur Championship. He also represented the United States at the Junior Presidents Cup and competed in the Wyndham Cup.

Giuseppe Puebla's 2026 season was highlighted by his appearance at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. The rising high school senior shot a pair of 68s to advance through final qualifying and punch his ticket to his first major championship. He also competed in the U.S. Amateur Championship at Merion Golf Club, represented the United States at the Junior Presidents Cup and was selected for the Wyndham Cup.

ABOUT THE USNDP  
The mission of the U.S. National Development Program is to foster future generations of American golf talent. The USNDP, developed and managed by the USGA, provides a pathway to success in golf by delivering competitive opportunities, support and training that develops American golf talent and mitigates financial burdens. With our key strategic partners, host venues and champions, we provide education, experiences and mentorship that help athletes achieve success at each level. We are committed to fostering a positive and healthy pathway for American golfers to follow their dreams and reach the pinnacle of the sport.