Just two months removed from hosting the LPGA and LET’s best golfers in The Amundi Evian Championship, the prestigious Evian Resort Golf Club welcomed 72 of the top junior golfers from around the world to compete in the 2024 Amundi Evian Juniors Cup.

The tournament featured 18 countries, made up of two boys and two girls each. All eyes were on the American team entering the week however, as they sought to defend their 2023 title. This year’s squad was led by two of the best girl golfers in the nation, California’s Samantha Chiou and Florida’s Grace Carter, ranked No. 81 and No. 143 in the Junior Golf Scoreboard Rankings, respectively.

California’s Richard Ding and Florida’s Ayden Febres rounded out Team USA. The boys are mainstays on the American Junior Golf Association’s tour. Ding took full advantage of the tour in his lead up to the Juniors Cup, earning three-consecutive top-10 finishes to round out the summer, finishing with a win at the Babygrande Stanford Junior All-Star in August. Febres notched his best finish (T4) in March at the Will Lowery Junior Championship.

This team certainly had a lot to live up to, as the 2023 squad, led by Davis Wotnosky and Angela Zhang, dominated the team competition from start to finish. Chiou lived up to that billing in round one, taking the lead in the Girls Division with a 1-under 70. Of the 72 players in the field, she was just one of three to card an under-par opening round. Despite Chiou’s strong start, Team USA found themselves in second place overall after her fellow Americans finished the day at 17-over, collectively.

This was clearly unfamiliar territory for the Americans, who have a history of excellence in the event, winning the team title three times in a row from 2017-19 in addition to the aforementioned 2023 victory. Knowing what was at stake, the young Americans came out swinging in round two, with Chiou, Carter and Ding posting under-par rounds. Chiou pushed her Girls Division lead to six strokes following a second consecutive 1-under 70. Carter and Ding each fired rounds of 2-under 69, which vaulted both into contention.

Now in the driver’s seat entering the final round, Team USA cruised to victory behind the strong play of Chiou, who earned Girls Division medalist honors after carding a final-round even-par 71 for a tournament total of 2-under 211. She was the only player in the Amundi Evian Juniors Cup field to finish under-par for the tournament. Carter rounded out the competition with a respectable 2-over 72, finishing six strokes back in third at 4-over 217.

Ding continued to feed off his momentum from round two, carding a final-round even-par 71, which was enough for third in the Boys Division at 3-over 216. Even though he struggled to find his game in France, Febres fought hard over the course of the 54 holes, posting rounds of 79-78-79 for a total of 236. As a unit, the Americans finished the tournament at 28-over-par, defeating second-place finisher France by 13 shots. Japan took third place.

This year’s team was led by Coach Brittany Daniel and Captain Lillie Seymour, both of whom work for the LPGA Foundation. Daniel is an LPGA Professional and Senior Manager for the LPGA Foundation, while Seymour is a Senior Coordinator for Member Services.

“Having the opportunity to Coach Team USA at the Evian Juniors Cup was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Daniel explained. “The golf course was beautiful, and Team USA showed great spirit, determination, and teamwork to capture the Gold! Getting to see how these players formed new friendships is something I will never forget, and I can’t wait to watch their futures in golf.”

Seymour shared this sentiment, adding, “Being the captain of Team USA was such an honor! I am so proud of Ayden, Grace, Richard and Samantha. Each of them brought their own unique strengths to the team and getting to watch them bring home the Gold was such a special moment for us to celebrate together.”

As if winning the tournament wasn’t enough, Team USA left France with brand new clothing and equipment. PING provided golf bags and umbrellas; Titleist provided golf balls and gloves; FootJoy provided shoes, while Bombas, Callaway, Calliope, Imperial, Renwick, Rhoback, Rhone and Under Armour outfitted the Americans in uniforms for the week.

As one could imagine, the beautiful venue, elaborate gifting, challenging competition, and team camaraderie made for a week that none of these players will ever forget.

“Being able to complete on a prestigious golf course in France, alongside players from all over the world gave me a spark of joy in the game of golf that I’ve never experienced before, as well as a memory I will cherish forever,” Chiou reflected.

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