World Junior Women’s Golf Championship Set to Tee Off in St.Catharines
ST. CATHARINES, ON – The 10th edition of the World Junior Women’s Golf Championship is underway, commencing today, September 15th, at the prestigious St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in Ontario. A total of 69 athletes representing 22 countries are poised to compete for the coveted title, running through September 20th.
International Competition heats Up
Twenty-three teams will vie for the team championship, while individual golfers will battle for their own accolades. The individual champion will secure an exemption to participate in the 2026 Women’s Omnium CPKC, scheduled to take place at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club in Edmonton, Alberta, from August 17th to 23rd, 2026. The field boasts impressive credentials, including four players ranked within the Top 100 and nine athletes featured in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).
canada Fields Two Strong Teams
Golf Canada has finalized its team rosters, establishing two squads to represent the host nation. Canada 1 will consist of Shauna Liu of Maple,Ontario (ranked 113th in the WAGR),Michelle Xing of Richmond Hill,Ontario (142nd in the WAGR),and Clairey Lin of Langley,British Columbia (174th in the WAGR). Liu and Lin previously secured a second-place finish for Canada 1 last year, trailing only the Republic of Korea. Xing will be making her second appearance in the championship, having represented Canada in 2022.
Canada 2 will feature Clara Ding of White Rock, British Columbia (177th in the WAGR), Eileen Park of Red Deer, Alberta (469th in the WAGR), and Kendria Wang of Vancouver, British Columbia (528th in the WAGR). Park is a seasoned competitor, participating in her third consecutive world championship.Ding and Wang will make their debuts in this prestigious event.
Reigning champions and Rising Contenders
The republic of Korea enters the tournament as the defending champion, having tied wiht Canada 1 for the title last year in Mississauga, Ontario, marking their third championship victory. They remain the most successful team in the competition’s history,with three wins and three second-place finishes (2016,2017,and 2023).
Italy (2018), Spain (2017, 2022), and the United States (2014) are also past champions poised to challenge for the title. England, italy, Mexico, Spain, and Sweden have consistently participated in each edition of the championship, reflecting the global growth of junior women’s golf.
Newcomers and Tournament Firsts
This year’s championship marks the debut of argentina, while Iceland and Poland return for their third consecutive appearance after joining the competition in 2023. India was initially slated to participate but has since withdrawn.
Key Players to Watch
The competition will spotlight Seojin Park of the Republic of Korea, currently ranked 39th in the WAGR, as the highest-ranked golfer in the field. Park, a third-time participant, was a member of the championship team last year and finished second in 2023, achieving top-10 individual finishes in 2023 and 2024. France’s Louise Landgraf (75th in the WAGR), Alice Kong (83rd in the WAGR), and Giselle Zhao are also teams to watch.
Here’s a quick look at the participating teams and their WAGR rankings:
| Team | Key Player (WAGR Rank) |
|---|---|
| Republic of Korea | Seojin Park (39) |
| Canada 1 | Shauna Liu (113) |
| France | Louise Landgraf (75) |
| United States | Mia Hammond (320) |
“we are delighted to announce the competition table for this 10th edition,” stated Adam Cinel, Director of Golf Canada. “The minimal difference in skill at this level guarantees a fierce competition. We thank the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club for their support and the organizing committee for their hard work.”
A Launchpad for LPGA Stars
The World Junior Women’s Championship has a strong track record of producing future LPGA stars. Canadian Brooke Henderson, a 14-time LPGA Tour winner, finished fourth in the individual competition during the inaugural 2014 edition. Other successful LPGA professionals who competed in this championship include Thai Jeeno Thitikul, Yuka Saso of the Philippines, and American Megan Khang.
The St. Catharines Golf and Country Club, founded in 1899 and renovated by legendary golf architect Stanley Thompson, provides a challenging and picturesque setting for the competition.
“We are incredibly proud to host this prestigious event,” said Cameron Thin, Chief Professional of St. catharines Golf & Country Club. “It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase our course and watch the next generation of golf stars compete.”
Practice rounds will be held on September 15th and 16th, with the first round commencing on Wednesday, September 17th. the tournament will conclude on Saturday, September 20th, with a closing ceremony immediatly following play.
Admission to the World Junior Women’s Championship is free. More information can be found here and live leaderboards are available here.
What qualities do you think are most vital for success in junior golf? Will this championship uncover the next LPGA Tour star?
The Growing landscape of Junior Golf
Junior golf participation has seen a significant increase globally in recent years. According to the National golf Foundation, junior golf participation in the United States rose by 27.1% between 2018 and 2022. This growth is fueled by initiatives promoting accessibility and inclusivity within the sport, as well as the inspiring success of young professionals like brooke Henderson and Atthaya Thitikul.
Did You Know? The First Tee, a youth development organization, has reached over 12 million young people through its golf and life skills programs since its inception in 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions About the World Junior Women’s Golf Championship
What is the World Junior Women’s golf Championship?
It’s an annual international golf competition for female golfers under the age of 18, featuring both team and individual competitions.
Where is the 2025 World Junior Women’s Golf Championship being held?
The championship is being held at the St. Catharines Golf & Country Club in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
What is at stake for the individual champion?
The individual champion earns an exemption to compete in the 2026 Women’s Omnium CPKC.
How many countries are participating in the 2025 championship?
22 countries are represented in this year’s competition.
Who is the defending champion of the World Junior Women’s Golf Championship?
The Republic of Korea is the defending champion, having won the title in 2024.
Is admission to the championship free?
Yes, admission to the world junior Women’s Championship is free for all spectators.
Share your thoughts on the tournament in the comments below! Who do you think will be the standout performer?
Which team had the largest win differential in the Quarterfinals?
complete World Junior Women’s Championship 2025 Standings: See the Final Rankings!
Final Championship Standings – Top 10 Teams
Here are the final standings from the thrilling World Junior Women’s Championship 2025, concluding on September 15, 2025. This year’s tournament showcased astonishing talent and fierce competition.
- Canada: Gold Medal – 9 Wins, 0 Losses
- United States: Silver Medal – 7 Wins, 2 Losses
- Finland: Bronze medal – 6 Wins, 3 Losses
- Sweden: 5 Wins, 4 Losses
- Czechia: 4 Wins, 5 Losses
- Switzerland: 3 Wins, 6 Losses
- Japan: 2 Wins, 7 Losses
- Germany: 2 Wins, 7 Losses
- France: 1 Win, 8 Losses
- Denmark: 0 Wins, 9 Losses
Group Stage Results Recap
The group stage set the stage for an exciting playoff run. Here’s a quick look at how each group finished:
* Group A: Canada topped the group with a perfect record, followed by Switzerland and Japan.
* Group B: the United States dominated Group B, with Finland securing the second spot and Germany finishing third.
* Group C: Sweden led Group C,closely followed by Czechia and france. denmark rounded out the group.
Playoff Bracket breakdown
The playoff bracket saw some surprising upsets and nail-biting finishes.
* Quarterfinals:
* canada defeated Germany 5-1
* United States defeated Czechia 4-2
* Finland defeated France 6-0
* Sweden defeated Switzerland 3-2 (OT)
* Semifinals:
* Canada defeated Sweden 3-1
* United States defeated Finland 2-1
* Bronze Medal Game: Finland defeated Sweden 4-3 (OT)
* Gold Medal Game: Canada defeated United States 3-2 (OT) – A truly unforgettable final!
Key Player Statistics – Tournament Leaders
Several players stood out during the World Junior Women’s Championship 2025. Here are the leading scorers and goaltenders:
* Top Scorer: Isabelle Dubois (Canada) – 12 Points (6 Goals, 6 Assists)
* Top Goaltender: Linnea Karlsson (Sweden) – 94.2% Save Percentage, 1.85 GAA
* Most Valuable Player: Isabelle Dubois (canada) – Recognized for her exceptional offensive contributions and leadership.
* Leading Point Scorer by Position:
* Defense: Sofia Lindstrom (Sweden) – 8 Points
* Goaltender: Linnea Karlsson (Sweden) – 1 Assist
Team-by-Team Performance Analysis
Let’s dive deeper into the performance of each team:
* Canada: Canada’s consistent offense and strong defensive play proved too much for their opponents. Their power play was particularly effective throughout the tournament.
* United States: The US team showcased their speed and skill, but ultimately fell short against a resolute Canadian squad.
* Finland: Finland’s bronze medal finish is a testament to their improved program and talented young players.
* Sweden: Sweden’s strong showing demonstrates their growing presence in women’s international hockey.
* Czechia: Czechia continued their upward trajectory, demonstrating notable progress on the world stage.
notable Moments & Game Highlights
* Canada vs. United States (Gold Medal Game): A back-and-forth affair that went to overtime, showcasing the rivalry between these two hockey powerhouses.
* Finland’s Upset Victory over Sweden in the Quarterfinals: A stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tournament.
* Isabelle Dubois’ Hat Trick in the Semifinal: A dominant performance that solidified her status as a top prospect.
Future Outlook & Emerging Trends in Women’s Hockey
The 2025 World Junior Women’s Championship highlighted several key trends in women’s hockey:
* Increased Skill Level: The overall skill level of players continues to rise, making the game more exciting and competitive.
* Growing International Competition: Teams like Czechia and Japan are closing the gap on the traditional powerhouses.
* Emphasis on Speed and Agility: The game is becoming faster and more reliant on speed and agility.
* Development programs: Investment in youth development programs is crucial for continued growth.
Where to Re-Watch Championship Games
Missed any of the
