Hillsborough 11-Year-Old Finishes Top 20 At U.S. Kids Golf World Championship

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough youth golfer Arjun Karra posted a top-20 finish at the 2026 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship after a strong final-round comeback in the Boys 11 division.

The three-day tournament was held at Talamore Golf Resort in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Karra competed in a field of 153 players and opened with rounds of 75 and 76 before moving up the standings on the final day.

Karra shot a 6-under-par 66 in Round 3, the lowest score recorded by any player in the field that day.

His final round included eight birdies and moved him into a tie for 18th place overall, giving him a Top 20 finalist finish.

The Hillsborough golfer recently completed fifth grade at Auten Road Intermediate School.

He started playing golf at age 7 and practices for several hours each day at Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough with his father.

The family also credited support from Royce Brook head golf pro Jodi Oliver and the course staff.

Karra trains with swing coach Kenny Jung, and his final-round comeback was driven in large part by his short game, which he practices daily, according to his family.

The world championship result adds to a strong season for Karra.

Earlier this year, he tied for second at the U.S. Kids New Jersey State Invitational. He also won the PGA Jr. League sub-regionals with his All-Star teammates.

Karra is next set to compete in the PGA Jr. League Regionals from Sept. 4 to 6 at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.

As part of Region 3, representing the Middle Atlantic, New Jersey and Philadelphia sections, his 13U All-Star team will be one of eight teams at the regional site competing for a place in the National Championship.

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