Yubo Chen, a 12-year-old Thai golfer of Chinese descent, finished at 5-under-par 67 to lead solo in the boys' category, while the girls' leader Pimnara Kulavanich also scored 5-under-par 67.
The international junior golf tournament, Thailand Junior Championship 2026 - AJGA International Pathway Series, was held from 14-16 August 2026 at Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai, a par-72 course. The men's course played at 7,063 yards and the women's at 6,052 yards in Ban Thi district, Lamphun province. Round one concluded on Friday, 14 August 2026.
This tournament serves as a pathway for youth to compete in the AJGA in the United States. It is a 3-day, 54-hole stroke play event divided into boys' and girls' divisions (under 18). Organized by Global Golf Management Co., over 120 international golfers participated: 72 boys and 48 girls. Competitors include the top six from Class A and B boys and the top three from Class A and B girls from TGA, national team players for 2026 or representatives from TALGA (4 boys, 2 girls), and qualifiers from the 2026 Junior Golf Series across central, northern, southern, and northeastern regions.
Players qualified through the Thailand Junior Championship Local Qualifying and international invitees from various organizations. This is the second year of the event, supported by the Sports Authority of Thailand, National Sports Development Fund, Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Global Golf Management Co., Thailand Domestic Power, and Alpine Golf Resort Chiang Mai.
After round one on Friday, 14 August 2026, 12-year-old Yubo Chen, competing in his first year, started at hole 10, making 3-under with birdies on holes 11, 16, and 18 in the back nine. He had a bogey at hole 1, par 4, then added three more birdies on holes 2, 4, and 8, finishing at 5-under-par 67. Hangyu Liu from China and Thailand’s Ratwich Ratchayanan tied for second at 3-under-par 69.
Leader Yubo Chen commented on his round, "I played well. My putting was mixed, sometimes good, sometimes not, but I focused on staying in the fairway and hitting good second shots. For the next round, I’ll try to play cautiously and give myself plenty of opportunities. I hope to finish in the top 5."
In the girls' category, 13-year-old Pimnara Kulavanich started at hole 10, making five birdies at holes 10, 11, 17, 2, and 4, finishing bogey-free with a 5-under-par 67 to lead solo. Ritchie Kittiwattanakul and Kirana Batpanthana followed closely at 4-under-par 68 tied for second place, with Kotchakorn Nimnuan in fourth at 3-under-par 69.
Pimnara Kulavanich said after her round, "I didn’t hit many fairways today, but my approach shots were close, which gave me good putting opportunities. I’ll try to play carefully over the next two days." Meanwhile, Kotchakorn Nimnuan from Ratchaburi said, "My front nine was strong with three birdies and an eagle at hole 14, par 4, for a great score. But I struggled on the back nine as the wind picked up, missing putts and making two bogeys. Next round, I’ll focus on hitting greens to better control my game."
The male and female champions in this event will earn full-season AJGA membership. The top 5 boys receive 12 stars, top 10 get 8 stars, top 15 earn 4 stars, and top 50% receive 1 star. For girls, the top 3 earn 12 stars, top 5 get 8 stars, top 10 receive 4 stars, and top 50% get 1 star accordingly.
Players finishing in the top 3 in both boys' and girls' categories receive invitations to compete in the 2026 Development Amateur World Golf Ranking Invitational (October 2026), 2026 Next Gen Amateur World Final (October 2026), Thailand Junior Masters (November 2026), Black Mountain Asian Junior Masters 2027 (February 2027), US Kids Golf Thailand Championship 2027 (April 2027), and Thailand Junior Championship - AJGA IPS 2027 (August 2027).