Zhao Outshines Field at 77th U.S. Junior Qualifier

June 19, 2025

CORNING, N.Y. – Lucas Zhao earned medalist honor for the 77th U.S. Junior Amateur Championship at Corning Country Club, in a sectional qualifier conducted by the New York State Golf Association.

Related: Results / Photos / U.S. Junior Am Home

Zhao, a native of Quebec, Canada said this was his first time shooting under par playing 18-holes and took home medalist honors with a score of 68 (-2). This was also Zhao’s first time qualifying for the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship. He said after the birdie on the first hole it was either going to be his day or not. It ended up being his day as the 15-year old will be heading to Dallas at the end of July.

What it meant for him to qualify, “Its huge for me, I am really proud of it… coming into this morning I just wanted to try my best to qualify.”

Zhao carded 3 birdies all on the front nine shooting 3-under then lone bogey on the back bringing him to 2-under par for the championship qualifier.

The three remaining spots were captured by Noah Maclauchlan, Justin Labbe, and Nick Werner as they will be heading to Trinity Forest, all finishing at 1-under par.

Maclauchlan, the Liberty golf commit from Moseley, Virginia, knocked in an eagle on hole 14, getting on the up-hill par 5 in 2 shots and draining his putt. Labbe, of Montreal, started off hot by dropping birdies his first two holes and had five total to post a 1-under round. Our last player heading to Trinity Forest was Werner from Wilkes Barre, P.A. had 3 birdies in his round also posting a 1-under score.

For the alternates there was a 4-way tie at even par and a playoff started on the first hole at the Thomas Winton layout, with Carson Looney of Bethesda, Maryland claiming first alternate and Liam Maclauclan, brother of Noah, earning the second alternate position. It took five total playoff holes to decide both positions.

The course was played at 6,310 yards and a par of 70.

Trinity Forest in Dallas, Texas is set to host this year's U.S. Junior Amateur.