The final matches of the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic are set, with two boys and two girls remaining in contention. The only true match play event on the AJGA schedule will feature four of the top competitors still standing in the field, each just one win away from a title.
In the Girls Division, No. 5 seed Clairey Lin of (Canada) Palos Verdes Estates, California will face No. 7 seed Eliana Saga of Stevenson Ranch, California. The two California natives, familiar with each other’s games from years of competition, will square off for the championship in a highly anticipated matchup.
In the Boys Division, No. 12 seed Rory Asselta of Ramsey, New Jersey takes on No. 26 seed Joseph Corcell of Tampa, Florida. Both players are looking to capture their first AJGA Invitational title, with one set to break through and etch his name into the history of one of the AJGA’s longest-standing events.
Girls Division Finalists
Clairey Lin of Palos Verdes Estates, California is headed to the Championship match after defeating top-seeded Asterisk Talley of Chowchilla, California, 6&5. Lin jumped out to an early 5UP lead through five holes and never looked back, taking control of the match from the opening stretch. The 2028 graduate stayed steady throughout, adding wins on Nos. 10 and 12 to maintain her advantage en route to the victory. Ranked No. 10 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Lin continues her dominant week.
Earlier in the day, Lin delivered another commanding performance, defeating recently crowned Rolex Girls Junior Championship winner Inseoul Jiamanukoonkit, 6&5. The California native remains undefeated this week and has yet to reach the 16th hole in any of her matches. She now turns her attention to the Championship match, where she looks to capture her second AJGA Invitational title.
"This course is very difficult to walk. That's a good thing because it forces me to take one shot at a time. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I am hitting the ball very well, and driving it well is especially important on this course. I played this event the last two years, so coming back and making it to the Championship match is special. Bethpage Black is one of my favorite courses to play, and it's a perfect course for match play."
Eliana Saga of Stevenson Ranch, California is headed to the Championship match after defeating Elizabeth Guthrie of Charlotte, North Carolina, 3&2, in the Semifinals. The No. 7 seed built momentum throughout the match and stayed in control down the stretch to secure her spot in the final. Ranked No. 23 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Saga has continued her strong season with another impressive performance at Bethpage Black.
Earlier in the day, Saga outlasted Mia Clausen of Carlsbad, California, in a marathon Quarterfinal match, earning a 1UP victory in 20 holes. The California native remains undefeated this week with a perfect 5-0 record heading into the Championship match. Already the owner of three top-10 AJGA finishes this season, Saga will look to cap off her stellar week by capturing her first AJGA Invitational title.
"It feels great. I'm excited to get back out there, see what my game is all about and challenge myself again. I'm feeling confident, but I'm going to take it one step at a time and stick to my game plan. It means everything to be playing out here. This course is beautiful and in great shape. I've known Clairey for a long time, and I know how good of a player she is. It's going to be an exciting challenge."
Boys Division Finalists
Rory Asselta of Ramsey, New Jersey is headed to the Championship match after defeating Noah MacLauchlan, 4&3, in the Semifinals. The No. 12 seed stayed in control throughout the match, building momentum on the back nine to secure his place in the final. The 2028 graduate, ranked No. 37 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, has continued his strong play following a T8 finish at the Wyndham Invitational presented by Odyssey.
Earlier in the day, Asselta earned an impressive 3&2 victory over No. 4 seed and BYU commit Drake Harvey in the Quarterfinals. The New Jersey native remains undefeated this week with a perfect 5-0 record, winning all three of his Pool Play matches before advancing through the bracket. He heads into the Championship match looking to complete an unbeaten week and capture his first AJGA Invitational title.
"Being from New Jersey and living close to the area, this is really special. In my second match today, I had my friend CJ come out to watch me play. My driver is feeling good and I’m putting myself in the fairway consistently. I feel confident with my irons as well. Coming into this, I didn’t know what to expect since I had never played match play before. I’ve just been focused on playing my own game with no expectations, and that’s really helped so far. I just want to keep putting myself in good positions and giving myself birdie looks."
Joseph Corcell of Tampa, Florida is headed to the Championship match after defeating No. 3 seed Jaden Soong, 5&3, in the Semifinals. The 2027 graduate controlled the match from the start, continuing his strong form with another composed performance to earn his spot in the final. Ranked No. 57 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, Corcell has built momentum all week following a T8 finish at the Wyndham Invitational presented by Odyssey.
Earlier in the day, Corcell advanced with a 2&1 victory over Grant DeLorenzo in the Quarterfinals. The Florida native remains unbeaten through match play this week, with his only blemish coming in Pool Play, where he tied a top-ranked player in Ryan Nana Tanke. He now turns his attention to the Championship match, where he will look to capture his first AJGA Invitational title.
"It is amazing. I have never played in this tournament before. It is an unreal event at an unreal venue. Playing Bethpage Black more than six times is just special. I am used to playing stroke play every tournament, so coming into this I wasn’t sure how match play would look, but it has turned out okay so far. The game plan will be similar to what I’ve been doing all week. This course is tight and the rough is thick, so finding fairways and greens will be very valuable."
Championship Outlook - Girls Division
Both players enter the Championship match undefeated in match play this week. Lin has controlled matches early and closed quickly, while Saga has shown resilience in tighter battles, including a 20-hole quarterfinal win. With both playing at a high level all week, execution and composure on the closing stretch will decide the Girls Division title.
Championship Outlook - Boys Division
Two undefeated players meet for the Boys Division title after strong semifinal wins. Asselta has delivered steady, consistent play all week, while Corcell has posted key wins over top seeds, including a 5&3 semifinal victory. Both are chasing their first AJGA Invitational title, with momentum and momentum swings likely to decide the match.
Third Place Finishers
Asterisk Talley went undefeated in Pool Play before advancing to the Semifinals. The No. 1 seed earned a 2&1 Quarterfinal win over Emily Song before falling to Clairey Lin, 6&5, in the Semifinals. She finishes T3 in the Girls Division after a strong week of play.
Elizabeth Guthrie opened match play with a 2&1 Quarterfinal win over Ein Kim before falling to Eliana Saga in the Semifinals. She tied only once in Pool Play against Alli Wiertel, finishing otherwise undefeated in stroke play. Guthrie concludes the event T3 in the Girls Division.
Noah Maclauchlan opened match play with a 2UP Quarterfinal victory over top seed Sam Carraher before falling to Rory Asselta, 4&3, in the Semifinals. He earned two points during Pool Play and also dropped a match to No. 8 Richard Ding. Maclauchlan finishes T3 in the Boys Division after a strong week of competition.
Jaden Soong advanced through the Quarterfinals with a 3&2 win over Keane Taino before falling in the Semifinals to Joseph Corcell, 5&3. In Pool Play, Soong earned two wins and tied David Kim in a tightly contested match. He concludes the event T3 in the Boys Division following a solid run to match play.
About Polo Ralph Lauren
Polo Ralph Lauren, a premium lifestyle brand, has been a partner for more than three decades. Since 1995, Polo Ralph Lauren has supported junior golfers who become the next generation of college graduates and business leaders. Every week through AJGA social and digital content, Polo Ralph Lauren celebrates the top performances of AJGA members worldwide, through Polo Ralph Lauren #InspiredPerformances . Polo Ralph Lauren has hosted the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic, an Invitational dating back to 1978 and is one of the longest-running events in AJGA history.
About Bethpage State Park Golf Courses - Black Course
In 2022, the move of the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic to Bethpage Black marked the first time the event has been played on a public course. The Black Course is steeped in tradition, having hosted three major championships, two FedEx Cup Playoff events, and the 2025 Ryder Cup.
Bethpage Black made its major championship debut in 2002 with the U.S. Open, where a young Tiger Woods, a former RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic champion, captured his second U.S. Open title. The course returned to the national stage in 2009 when AJGA alumnus Lucas Glover won the U.S. Open, followed by The Barclays FedEx Cup Playoff events in 2012 and 2016.
In 2019, AJGA alumnus Brooks Koepka claimed victory at the PGA Championship, as Bethpage Black once again cemented its place among golf’s most demanding championship venues. Most recently, the course hosted the 2025 Ryder Cup, further adding to its legacy on the global stage.
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