Kaili Xiao of Chino Hills, California leads after the first round of the Rolex Girls Junior Championship, carding a five-under-par 67.
“I felt really comfortable today with my irons and putter. The course is challenging, and the greens were quick. It’s a really nice event, and I’m so happy I could come back again.”
In her third Rolex Girls Junior Championship appearance, Xiao began on the front nine, recording birdies on Nos. 2 and 5, along with an eagle on the par-5 No. 2. Two more birdies on the back nine offset Xiao’s lone bogey of the round on No. 18 to secure the lead.
Xiao, ranked No. 42 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, is making her 15th AJGA Invitational appearance. Xiao has played in one other Invitational this year, finishing sixth at the Fortinet Stanford Invitational hosted by Rose Zhang. The University of Southern California commit finished T4 at last year’s Rolex Girls Junior Championship. A win this week would mark Xiao’s fourth AJGA victory and first Invitational title.
Inseoul Jiamanukoonkit and Amber Lee are tied for second place, each carding a three-under-par 69 in the first round.
Inseoul Jiamanukoonkit of San Diego, California, carded a three-under-par 69 in the opening round to move into a tie for second. Her round featured birdies on Nos. 1, 2, 7, 15 and 18, offset by bogeys on holes 10 and 16. The University of California, Berkeley commit is competing in her first Rolex Girls Junior Championship and has recorded multiple top-five finishes this season.
Amber Lee of San Diego, California, also fired a three-under-par 69 in the first round to join the tie for second place. Her round included birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 5, and 7, offset by a bogey on No. 13. Ranked No. 18 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, the Class of 2029 graduate is making her second Rolex Girls Junior Championship appearance. Lee finished runner-up at the 2025 Rolex Girls Junior Championship.
About the Rolex Girls Junior Championship Field
Since 1992, the competition brings together one of the strongest fields in junior golf. The 2026 event will include nine of the top 25 girls in the Rolex AJGA Rankings.
Representatives from six countries, 21 U.S. states and one U.S. territory are set to compete in one of the AJGA’s most iconic all-girls events. There are also 18 players who have committed to play college golf.
Rolex Girls Junior Championship History
The Rolex Girls Junior Championship has occurred annually since 1992, changing host venues each year. Noteworthy courses include: LPGA International – Champions and Legends Course (2002-2005), Long Cove Club (2010), The Country Club of North Carolina – Dogwood Course (2015), and Promontory Club – Dye Canyon Course (2018).
Past champions of the Rolex Girls Junior Championship include an AJGA all-star cast: Rose Zhang (2020), Rachel Heck (2017), Alison Lee (2013), Ariya Jutanugarn (2012, 2011), Morgan Pressel (2005), Paula Creamer (2003), and Inbee Park (2002)
Schedule
The second round continues Wednesday, June 17 with tee times from 7:00-8:50 a.m. off of Nos. 1 and 10.