USNDP Week in Review: Elite Amateur Program College Wins & National Junior Team Members on Tour

It was a successful week for current and former U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) members at the professional and collegiate level. Three Elite Amateur Program athletes put together individual wins at their respective colleges and three U.S. national junior team members played in professional events on the PGA Tour, LPGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. 

Romero Wins at Charles Schwab Women’s Collegiate Invitational 

Kiara Romero, a junior at the University of Oregon, is in her second consecutive year as a member of the Elite Amateur Program. Romero won her second individual title of the season at the Charles Schwab Women's Collegiate Invitational at Colonial Country Club last Tuesday. It was the junior’s sixth win of her career, extending her program record in that category. Romero (69-68-67-204) entered the final day tied for the lead and fired a 3-under 67 to win by five strokes at 6-under overall. She was one of just two in the loaded field to finish in red figures overall. 

Romero, of San Jose, Calif., is the reigning McCormack Medal winner and still sits atop the World Amateur Golf Ranking®. She will make her third start at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next week. Romero is exempt into this summer’s U.S. Women’s Open Presented by Ally at The Riviera Country Club and the AIG Women’s Open at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in England. 

Akina Wins at Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational 

Kihei Akina, a freshman at Brigham Young University, is in his first year as a member of the Elite Amateur Program. Akina won his second collegiate event at the Bridgestone Collegiate Invitational at Silverado Country Club last Tuesday. It was Akina’s second win of March after winning the individual title at R.E. Lamkin Invitational at San Diego Country Club.

Akina (65-67-63–195) claimed the individual title after recording a career-best 9-under 63 in the final round. His 21-under par total was the lowest in program history since the 1999-2000 season.

Akina was a member of the U.S. National Junior Team in 2024 and 2025. 

Herendeen Wins at Duck Invitational 

Max Herendeen, a junior at the University of Illinois, is in his second consecutive year as a member of the Elite Amateur Program. Herendeen won his fourth career individual title by five strokes at the Duck Invitational at Eugene Country Club last Tuesday. 

Herendeen, of Bellevue, Wash., was the only player in the field with all three rounds under par. His 11-under performance (67-69-66-202) marked the third-lowest score of his career. It was Herendeen's fourth collegiate victory. 

Herendeen was a member of the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team in 2024. 

Talley Finishes Top 30 at Ford Championship 

Asterisk Talley, a three-year member of the U.S. National Junior Team, played in the Ford Championship at Whirlwind Golf Club in Phoenix, Ariz. The 17-year-old finished tied for 29th in a field that featured 22 of the world’s top 25 ranked players. Talley, of Chowchilla, Calif., was in the top 10 with a 36-hole score of 10-under 134 that was a career best in six LPGA starts and the lowest total score by an amateur on tour since 2021. Her second round 7-under 65 tied the lowest round of the day. 

Talley became the first multiple-time winner of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in March and will play in the Augusta National Women’s Amateur next week, where she finished runner-up a year ago.  

Coleman Makes Pro Debut at Club Car Championship 

First-year U.S. National Junior Team member Hamilton Coleman made his professional debut this past weekend at the Korn Ferry Tour’s Club Car Championship at Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga.  

Coleman, of Martinez, Ga., shot a 4-under 68 on the Deer Creek Course in the first round and missed the cut by two strokes after a 1-over 73 on Friday.  

The reigning U.S. Junior Amateur Champion is exempt into this summer’s U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, June 18-21, and the U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club from August 10-16. He’ll get a chance to defend his U.S. Junior Amateur title at Saucon Valley Country Club in July.  

Coleman and fellow University of Georgia Bulldog signee Mason Howell were members of the inaugural USNDP Team Georgia in 2025. 

Howell Plays Houston Open Two Weeks Before Masters Start 

Mason Howell, in his first year as a member of the U.S. National Junior Team, played in the Houston Open this past weekend, his third career professional start after playing in the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, and the 2025 RSM Classic at Sea Island Golf Club. 

Howell, from Thomasville, Ga., was the lone amateur in the field at the Houston PGA Tour stop. After a first 3-over 73, Howell fired a 4-under 66 in Friday’s second round to miss the cut by one stroke. 

As the reigning U.S. Amateur Champion, Howell has exemptions into this year’s Masters Tournament, the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He will be paired with defending champion Rory McIlroy at The Masters and J.J. Spaun, defending U.S. Open champion, and Scottie Scheffler, defending Open Champion, at the U.S. Open, 

Brown Finishes Third at Club Car Championship 

Blades Brown, a member of the inaugural U.S. National Junior Team roster in 2024, turned professional at age 17 and plays on the Korn Ferry Tour. The Nashville, Tenn., native has made four out of five cuts this season with his highest finish coming at the Club Car Championship at the Landings Golf & Athletic Club this past weekend, where he tied for third. 

Brown finished in the top 20 at the 2026 American Express Championship, including a first round 12-under 60, becoming the youngest player in PGA Tour history to record a round of 60 or better.