Two champions emerged at the RLX Ralph Lauren Junior Classic, capping off a week of competition at Bethpage Black. After navigating a challenging field and the tournament’s unique pool and match play format, both earned one of the AJGA’s most prestigious titles.
Eliana Saga of Stevenson Ranch, California steadily elevated her play as the week progressed, turning early consistency into a championship run at Bethpage Black. She recorded four birdies over 17 holes in the final match, building an early lead and maintaining pressure throughout.
Rory Asselta of Ramsey, New Jersey advanced through a deep field at Bethpage Black, stringing together key match-play victories to reach the championship match. He came out firing, building a 4UP lead through five holes and never looking back on his way to the title.
No. 7 seed Eliana Saga, ranked No. 23 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, captured the Girls Division title, defeating No. 5 seed Clairey Lin, 2&1, to earn her first AJGA Invitational victory.
Saga’s path to the title was built on a flawless and resilient week of match play. She opened with a perfect 3-0 record in Pool Play to carry momentum into the bracket, then continued her strong form in the Quarterfinals, where she outlasted Mia Clausen in a marathon 20-hole battle to earn a gritty 1UP victory. In the Semifinals, Saga stayed in control down the stretch, defeating Elizabeth Guthrie, 3&2, to reach the championship match unbeaten on the week.
“This win means everything. I’ve been working hard for a long time, and to win an AJGA Invitational is amazing. Playing at Bethpage, where the Ryder Cup was held, on such a beautiful golf course made it even more special.”
In the final, Saga seized control early and never let it slip, building a 4UP lead through seven holes behind birdies on Nos. 5 and 7. She extended her advantage with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 13 and 14 to stay firmly in command, even as Clairey Lin trimmed the deficit late to 2UP. Saga remained composed under pressure and closed out the match, 2&1, to complete her first AJGA Invitational title run.
Clairey Lin, No. 10 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, put together an impressive performance, finishing runner-up to Eliana Saga in the Girls Division after a loss in the championship match, 2&1. Despite the loss, Lin showcased consistent play throughout the week consistently hitting fairways and greens. She established herself as one of the tournament's top competitors after notching a perfect record in Pool Play.
In the Quarterfinals, Lin defeated recently crowned 2026 Rolex Girls Junior Championship winner Inseoul Jiamanunkookit, 6&5. She followed that with a dominant 6&5 victory over top-ranked Asterisk Talley in the Semifinals to advance to the championship match.
No. 12 seed Rory Asselta, ranked No. 37 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, captured the Boys Division title, defeating No. 27 seed Joseph Corcell, 5&4, to earn his first AJGA Invitational victory.
Asselta’s path to the title was built on a dominant and consistent week of match play. He went undefeated in Pool Play, winning all three matches to advance into bracket play with momentum. He carried that form into the Quarterfinals, where he delivered one of the signature wins of his week, defeating No. 4 seed and BYU commit Drake Harvey, 3&2. In the Semifinals, Asselta stayed composed under pressure once again, taking down Noah Maclauchlan, 4&3, to reach the championship match without dropping a match all week.
“It’s just awesome. To be able to win out here on such a tough golf course, I really didn’t know what to expect. It feels amazing to get it done. It’s so special to win with everyone here. It’s just so special.”
In the final, Asselta controlled the match from the start and never allowed Corcell to find his spark. He was 4UP through five holes and extended the lead to 5UP by the ninth, putting pressure on the final pairing of the week. From tee to green, Asselta’s ball striking and steady execution kept him in control throughout the round.
Corcell managed to win one hole on the day, but was unable to build any sustained momentum as Asselta maintained his advantage on the demanding course layout. Asselta closed out the match on the 14th hole, completing a wire-to-wire effort in the final and securing his first AJGA Invitational title in dominant fashion.
No. 27 seed Joseph Corcell, ranked No. 57 in the Rolex AJGA Rankings, capped off his strongest AJGA Invitational performance with a runner-up finish, falling to Rory Asselta, 5&4, in the Boys Division. Despite the result in the final, Corcell put together a breakthrough week, establishing himself as one of the most consistent performers in the field.
Corcell opened the week with steady play in Pool Play, tying top-ranked Ryan Nana Tanke while winning his other matches to position himself for bracket play. In the Quarterfinals, Corcell earned a 2&1 victory over Grant DeLorenzo, followed by a statement win in the Semifinals, defeating No. 3 seed Jaden Soong, 5&3, to advance to the final 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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