Seventeen-year-old Asterisk Talley is making the most of a home game. The high school junior, a member at El Caballero Country Club, opened the JM Eagle LA Championship with a solid 2-under 70, kicking off a crucial two-week LPGA swing. Her round was a rollercoaster of five birdies, a bogey, and a double-bogey, showcasing the fearless play that has made her one of the top juniors in the game.
Playing on a sponsor's invite alongside fellow teen standout Aphrodite Deng, Talley leaned on her intimate course knowledge. "I know it like the back of my hand now," she said, referencing her runner-up finish here at the 2024 U.S. Girls' Junior. This local edge is a perfect start to a demanding stretch that will test both her skill and composure.
The journey comes fresh off the heartbreak of the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Talley even watched the Masters in class, noting how differently the iconic course played for the professionals. It's all part of the learning curve for a young player rapidly ascending in the sport.
Her education continues at the highest level next week. Immediately after LA, Talley heads to Texas for the season's first major, the Chevron Championship, where she will again compete on a sponsor exemption. It's a massive opportunity to test her game on a major stage, an experience that will be invaluable for her development.
While Talley's story is captivating, the first-round headlines were stolen by a scorching performance. Japan's Chizzy Iwai put on a ball-striking clinic, shooting a 9-under 63 that included a breathtaking 29 on her back nine with five consecutive birdies and an eagle. "A little bit thinking 58 or 59," Iwai admitted, "But golf is not easy." Her round, featuring 17 greens hit and 27 putts, sets a formidable pace.
She leads a chasing pack that includes two-time JM Eagle LA Championship winner Hannah Green, who opened with a 67. Green, riding the momentum of three consecutive wins earlier this season, is always a threat. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on whether the veteran can track down the hot-starting Iwai and if the talented teen, Asterisk Talley, can continue to make waves on home turf.