To celebrate the achievements of this year’s participants, The Circular caught up with Boys Champion Joshua Lim of Malaysia, Girls Champion Chloe Ng of Singapore, as well as Rookie Award winners Han Jae Ho of South Korea and Bernice Hwang of Malaysia. They share their reflections on the championship, the lessons learned throughout the week and their aspirations for the future.
BOYS CHAMPION 2026 — JOSHUA LIM (MALAYSIA)
Defending champion Joshua Lim successfully retained the Boys Under 18 title at the 11th RSGC Junior Invitational Golf Championship, becoming one of the few players to win the championship in consecutive years. Having finished runner-up in 2024 before capturing the title in 2025, Joshua once again demonstrated consistency and composure against a strong international field. Following another successful week at RSGC, Joshua reflects on his achievement and what lies ahead.
1. Having won the championship in 2025 and now again in 2026 after finishing runner-up in 2024, how special is this achievement to you?
This achievement is very special to me because not only is this my first time defending a title but to do it in this challenging course is just amazing
2. Do you feel your experience from previous editions helped you approach this year’s championship differently?
Yes, the experience has definitely helped me in getting around the course better as I know how to handle most of the situations I encountered.
3. What do you think makes competing at RSGC unique compared to other junior tournaments?
The competitiveness of this tournament is what makes it different. It makes me work harder in order to keep up with everybody else.
4. How would you describe the standard of competition this year with players from 12 countries participating?
This tournament has quite a high standard especially since the players from other countries are also very good.
5. What are your goals moving forward following this victory?
My goals are to work harder in order to achieve more victories in the future.
GIRLS CHAMPION 2026 — CHLOE NG (SINGAPORE)
Singapore’s Chloe Ng emerged as the Girls Under 18 Champion after three impressive rounds at RSGC. Competing against a talented international field, she displayed resilience and consistency throughout the championship to secure the title. Chloe shares her thoughts on her victory and her experience at RSGC.
1. How does it feel to win the title at this year’s RSGC Junior Invitational Golf Championship?
I am beyond thrilled to win the girls’ overall title at this year’s RSGC Junior! The course and weather conditions made it challenging, and it definitely was a physical and mental grind out there this week, but I’m glad I was able to close off with the win.
2. What does this victory mean to you personally and for your growth as a golfer?
Playing in a strong field with many talented players, this victory is undoubtedly a significant stepping stone in my competitive journey. It is a testament to my hard work over these years and proof to myself of what I am capable of.
3. How would you describe your experience competing at RSGC this week?
It was a great experience all around. The course was set up very nicely and the layout definitely presented a good challenge. My highlight would definitely be the warm smiles I received from the tournament staff, officials and ball spotters, despite the early mornings or warm afternoons.
4. What did you enjoy most about the atmosphere and international field at this year’s tournament?
I really enjoyed the competitive atmosphere. Playing amongst many budding talents is definitely my favourite part of the international tournament experience. It is always a pleasure to meet new players and reconnect with my friends from other countries.
5. What advice would you give to fellow junior golfers who hope to compete in tournaments like this in the future?
Just have fun and trust the process! Golf can be tough at times, but also very rewarding and you will learn many things from this sport. Stay positive and dream big.
GIRLS UNDER 15 ROOKIE AWARD WINNER — BERNICE HWANG (MALAYSIA)
It was a memorable championship for Malaysia’s Bernice Hwang, who not only captured the Girls Under 15 Rookie Award but also qualified for the Taiwan Youth Junior Championship 2026 and secured her World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). Bernice reflects on a week filled with milestones and new opportunities.
1. How does it feel to achieve so much at this year’s RSGC Junior Invitational Golf Championship?
I feel really happy and grateful to achieve so much in this year’s championship. I’m very thankful to have the chance to compete with international players, and I’m glad that all my hard work has finally paid off. I will continue to improve my golf game and hope to play in more tournaments and achieve even better results in the future.
2. How meaningful is it for you to earn your WAGR ranking through this championship?
Earning my WAGR through this championship means a lot to me because it has always been one of my dreams. I feel really excited and thankful for this opportunity. It is an important milestone in my golfing journey and it gives me more confidence for the future. I also want to thank my family, coaches and friends for always supporting me, and also the RSGC staff for helping me get this valuable WAGR opportunity. I’m truly very grateful
3. What does earning the opportunity to compete at the Taiwan Youth Junior Championship mean to you at this stage of your golfing journey?
I have never been to Taiwan for a tournament before, so this opportunity is really meaningful to me. It will be a very valuable international experience where I can learn from many talented players. I hope to gain more experience, improve my game, and make Malaysia proud.
BOYS UNDER 15 ROOKIE AWARD WINNER — HAN JAE HO (SOUTH KOREA)
South Korea’s Han Jae Ho impressed throughout the championship, claiming the Boys Under 15 Rookie Award while also finishing third overall in a highly competitive field. Following an outstanding week at RSGC, Han shares his reflections on the experience and his ambitions for the future.
1. How does it feel to win the Boys Rookie Award at the RSGC Junior Invitational Golf Championship 2026?
I feel really excited and thankful to win the Boys Rookie Award at the RSGC Junior Invitational Golf Championship 2026. Winning the Under 15 category and finishing third overall was already a huge achievement for me, so receiving the Rookie Award at such a historic and prestigious course like RSGC made it even more special. It feels amazing to see all my hard work and practice pay off, and it also gives me more confidence and motivation for future tournaments.
2. How would you describe your experience competing at RSGC against an international field this week?
Competing against international players at RSGC was a really cool and valuable experience because the level of golf was very high. The course setup was challenging and there was definitely pressure, but I tried to stay focused on my own game throughout the tournament. I started with a 71 in the first round and followed with scores of 73 and 74 over the next two days. Watching how different players manage the course and handle pressure taught me a lot, and I think the experience made me mentally stronger as a golfer.
3. What are your goals and hopes for your golfing journey moving forward?
Moving forward, I hope to continue improving my game and gaining more experience in bigger international tournaments. My goal is to become a more consistent player, lower my scores, and earn more performance stars and ranking points so I can compete at a higher level. I also want to work harder toward my dream of playing American D1 college golf while continuing to enjoy the journey and learn from every experience.
