Pairings | Results
June 25, 2026
Just moments after the winning putt fell in, San Jose resident Erin Le Nguyen exchanged hugs with members of her family. One of the biggest wins of her blossoming career was hers.
Still just 15 years old--and needing a ride to simply get to the course--Nguyen captured the prestigious 76th California Junior Girls' State Championship on Thursday at Palo Alto Hills G&CC, defeating Kelley O' Keefe, 2 and 1, in the 18-hole final. With the win, Nguyen joins LPGA Tour winners Yealimi Noh and Christina Kim as winners of the event. Kim, by the way, also hailed from San Jose when she won.
"I think it's really cool, my name will be on the trophy forever," a beaming Nguyen said. "It's insane, it's like a cool summer thing."
A co-medalist in stroke play qualifying (with Bella Ransi), Nguyen didn't have to play the 17th hole in match play until taking on O'Keefe. In her three previous wins, Nguyen won, 4 and 2, 4 and 3 and 3 and 1, respectively.
During her week, she also rotated caddies. She used her sister early on before turning to Cole Massey, a teenage member at Palo Alto Hills. Both caddies helped her notch the victory.
"My putting was good all week, and I got a lot of help from my caddies," said the No. 2-seeded Nguyen.
She'd need it versus O'Keefe. A member of Team NorCal for the U.S. National Development Program and the No.12 seed, O'Keefe--also age 15--routinely outdrove Nguyen off the tee by 40-plus yards and jumped out to an early 2-up lead.
Through 10 holes, the two were tied, but that's when things changed. On the 12th, O'Keefe, a resident of Lodi, three-putted for a bogey to lose the hole. On the ensuing 13th, Nguyen hit her approach shot to within 3 feet, leading to birdie and a win. On No.14, Nguyen again made a birdie to take a 3-up lead with only four holes left. O'Keefe won the 16th when Nguyen made bogey, but the two tied on No.17, sealing the match.
"I am really proud of myself for sticking in there and playing my heart out," said O'Keefe, who bounced back from an opening round 80 during stroke play qualifying. "She's a really great player."
Along with getting her name on the trophy, Nguyen also earned a golden ticket to this year's U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, set for July 13-18 at Old Chatham in North Carolina.
Whether or not her sister will be on the bag is unknown. But she'll still be surrounded by familiar faces.
"Two of my friends are going, so I was hoping I could join them," Nguyen said.
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June 24, 2026
The semifinals of this week's 76th annual California Junior Girls' State Championship will be an all-NorCal affair.
On a long Wednesday at Palo Alto Hills G&CC that saw both the Round of 16 and quarterfinals contested, it was four NorCal players who took another step towards winning the prestigious title.
No.1 seed Bella Ransi of El Dorado Hills, No.2 Erin Le Nguyen of San Jose, No.11 Stevie Umali of San Francisco and No.12 Kelley O'Keefe of Lodi all marched on after quarterfinal victories.
In Thursday morning's semifinals, it'll be Ransi vs. O'Keefe and Le Nguyen vs. Umali.
Ransi, a high school senior-to-be, captured the title at the Imperial Hawaii Junior Classic at Pearl at Kalauao last fall. O'Keefe, meanwhile, is still just a junior in high school. The Junior Tour of Northern California member is part of Team NorCal for the U.S. National Development Program.
Le Nguyen, who shared stroke play qualifying medalist honors with Ransi, is still just a sophomore in high school. Umali, a senior-to-be, has already verbally committed to University of Colorado.
Past winners of the event include current world No.1 ranked amateur female Kiara Romero, LPGA Tour member Yealimi Noh (2014, 2018) and former U.S. Women's Women's Amateur champ Dorothy Delasin (1996, 1998).
The semifinals will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the 18-hole final in the afternoon.
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June 23, 2026
A pair of NorCal players will be the No.1 and No.2 seeds at this week's 76th California Junior Girls' State Championship at Palo Alto Hills G&CC.
Erin Le Nguyen of San Jose and Bella Ransi of El Dorado Hills both finished as co-medalists after finishing stroke play qualifying with identical 36-hole scores of 3-over 147. Nguyen shot 77 in the second round, while Ransi posted a 74.
Ransi, who earned the No.1 seed, will open the Round of 16 of match play on Wednesday vs. No.16 Ziqing 'Sunny' Wang. Nguyen, the No.2 seed, will take on No.15 seed Lynn Choi of Seoul (South Korea).
Wednesday's action will consist of the Round of 16 and Round of 8, followed on Thursday by the semifinals and 18-hole final.
June 22, 2026
It was somewhat of a home-course advantage as Erin Le Nguyen grabbed the lead in Monday's first round of stroke play qualifying at this week's California Junior Girls' State Championship.
Playing at par-72 Palo Alto Hills G&CC, Nguyen, who hails from nearby San Jose, posted an opening score of 2-under 70 to take a three-shot lead over the field.
A pack of five players--Bella Ransi, Jayleen Sito, Lexi Lowe, Isabella Fernandez and Sophia Lin--are tied for second at 73.
Defending champ Michelle Woo is not in the field. Caroline Gao, who won in 2024 in a stunning upset over Asterisk Talley, is currently T-16 after an opening 76.
Following Tuesday's second round of stroke play qualifying, a cut will be made with the low 16 moving on to match play. Wednesday's action will consist of the Round of 16 and Round of 8, followed on Thursday by the semifinals and 18-hole final.