First Team | Second Team | Honorable Mention | Scholastic Honorees
The American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) announced today that Miles Russell, 18, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and Asterisk Talley, 17, of Chowchilla, California, have been named the 2026 Rolex Junior Players of the Year, recognizing their outstanding performances in AJGA and national junior golf competition.
Russell, who has committed to Florida State University, joins Phil Mickelson as the only players in history to earn three boys Rolex Junior Player of the Year honors, adding to his previous awards in 2023 and 2025. Talley, a Stanford University commit, earns the distinction for the first time following a season highlighted by victories at The Fortinet Stanford Invitational hosted by Rose Zhang and the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex.
Russell and Talley join a distinguished list of past Rolex Junior Players of the Year featuring Tiger Woods, Jordan Spieth, Scottie Scheffler, Rose Zhang, Inbee Park, Paula Creamer and Brian Harman.
The two players will be recognized alongside the 2026 Rolex Junior All-America teams and Rolex Scholastic Junior All-America team at the Rolex Junior All-America Awards Banquet on November 21 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas.
This year's awards banquet will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of Rolex's partnership with the AJGA, which began in 1986.
"On behalf of the AJGA, congratulations to Miles and Asterisk on these well-deserved honors and their outstanding junior golf careers," said Stephen Hamblin, AJGA Executive Director. "Their talent, perseverance and sportsmanship reflect the very best of the AJGA. For 40 years, Rolex has helped us develop, support and recognize exceptional young players. Seeing what so many have gone on to accomplish on and off the course speaks to the lasting impact of Rolex's partnership with the AJGA."
Miles Russell – Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Russell's third Rolex Junior Player of the Year honor adds another milestone to an extraordinary junior golf career that includes nine national junior titles and six AJGA titles. In 2026, he successfully defended his title at the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley, adding to his victory in 2025.
Russell also finished runner-up at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, tied for second at the AJGA Simplify Boys Championship at Carlton Woods and placed fourth at the Team TaylorMade Invitational. He represented the U.S. Team in the Junior Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club – Course No. 1 and Course No. 2 in September. Medinah also hosted the 2026 Presidents Cup on Course No. 3.
He also found success in professional and amateur competition in 2026, tying for 39th at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and advancing to the semifinals of match play at the Western Amateur.
Asterisk Talley – Chowchilla, California
Talley added three more national junior titles in 2026 on her way to earning her first Rolex Junior Player of the Year honor. She successfully defended her titles at The Fortinet Stanford Invitational hosted by Rose Zhang and the Hilton Grand Vacations ANNIKA Invitational presented by Rolex and captured the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley for the second time in three years. She also tied for third at the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic and represented the U.S. Team in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands, which also hosted the 2026 Solheim Cup.
With 12 career national junior titles and five Rolex Junior All-America honors, Talley has compiled one of the most accomplished junior golf resumes in recent AJGA history.
Talley's success extended into amateur and professional competition in 2026. She captured the U.S. Women's Amateur and competed in several LPGA Tour events, including a tie for 22nd at the U.S. Women's Open at Riviera Country Club.
For more information, please contact Lily Joyce (ljoyce@ajga.org ) in the AJGA Communications Department at (678) 425-1786 or visit ajga.org.
