Lee Westwood supports next generation as PING Junior Masters crowns 2026 champions

Close House welcomed 70 of the UK's most promising young golfers for the ninth PING Junior Masters Grand Final, held on Tuesday 27 October at the Lee Westwood Colt Course.

The finalists earned their places through nine qualifying events staged across seven counties, attracting competitors from as far north as Dundee to as far south as Gloucestershire. They came together to contest titles across six age-category divisions, with Aidan Robson emerging as the overall champion.

Robson delivered an impressive performance to finish with 40 points, securing both the overall PING Junior Masters title and the Boys' Under-12 crown. His victory also marked the first time a Close House junior member had claimed the overall title since the competition was established in 2017.

Elsewhere, Francine Mellor won the Girls' Under-12 division, while Max Meanwell and Zuri Patel took the respective boys' and girls' Under-15 titles. Jamie Kemp and Amelie Browne completed the winners' line-up by claiming the Under-18 honours.

Close House's Attached Touring Professional, Lee Westwood, attended the Grand Final to present the prizes, meet the competitors and take part in a question-and-answer session. The former world number one also posed for photographs and signed autographs, giving the young golfers an opportunity to meet one of the game's leading figures.

"It's fantastic to see the PING Junior Masters continuing to go from strength to strength, and the standard of golf on display this year has been really impressive," said Westwood.

"When we helped establish the event in 2017, the aim was to give young golfers more opportunities to compete and develop their skills. Nine years on, it's brilliant to see so many talented players taking part, and hopefully it's an experience they'll remember for years to come."

The annual competition remains an important part of Close House's commitment to developing junior golf, providing young players with valuable competitive experience and the opportunity to test themselves against some of the country's leading junior talent.

Jonathan Lupton, Managing Director at Close House, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of golfers.

"Supporting junior golf remains a key priority for us, and events like this provide fantastic opportunities for young players to compete and enjoy the sport. We're extremely grateful to Lee Westwood and PING for their continued support in making the Junior Masters such a special occasion each year," he said.

PING once again supplied all the prizes for the Grand Final, recognising the achievements of the finalists and helping to make the occasion memorable for everyone involved.

Dave Fanning, PING European Marketing Director, added: "We're delighted to continue supporting the PING Junior Masters and to see another fantastic group of young golfers competing at Close House. Creating opportunities for juniors to experience competitive golf is incredibly important, and it's great to see the event attracting players from across the country."

Beyond the competition itself, the partnership between Close House and PING also supports wider grassroots initiatives. Their continued backing helps Close House deliver free golf coaching to more than 2,000 schoolchildren each year, introducing youngsters to the game and encouraging greater participation in the sport.

With another successful Grand Final completed, the PING Junior Masters continues to provide a valuable platform for young golfers to develop their skills, gain competitive experience and enjoy opportunities that could help shape their future in the game.

2026 PING Junior Masters Grand Final Results