2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Caroline Cui
Redwood City
,
CA
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Girls
Region: Northwest
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
6
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
69 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
+1.1
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
Before I turned a year old, I loved tossing balls around at driving ranges. At age two, I started putting with my dad's putter (the same one I later used at my first DCP National Finals in 2023).
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My golf friends and my dad.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Coach Roger Pineda
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Playing with friends and hitting a good approach shot.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The mental side of the game.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Pitching wedge and driver.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pebble Beach
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Qualifying for the DCP National Finals twice.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Don't get too nervous because it's only nine shots and it goes by way faster than you think.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
It is a short competition, but you need to focus 100% on every shot.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
I performed very well (20, 20, 20) in the chipping category of Regionals during the 2026 season at Pebble Beach.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes. I started my first DCP in 2022 season and got 2nd place in Regionals. In 2023 season I ranked 5th in the National Finals at Augusta National. In both 2024 and 2025 season, I played in the Subregional Finals (3th in 2024 and 4th in 2025). In 2026 season, I qualified for the National Finals again.
DID YOU WATCH LAST YEAR’S DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT NATIONAL FINALS ON TELEVISION? IF SO, WHAT IMPACT DID THAT HAVE ON YOUR PARTICIPATION THIS YEAR?
Watching the DCP National Finals for the 2024 and 2025 seasons on television made me miss being there, so this year I worked extra hard to go back.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, putting, driving
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
Yes in 2023
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
I always prefer a visor over a regular golf hat. I used to have this pineapple ball maker that I really liked but sadly lost it a couple years ago.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler. He is very humble and demonstrates a healthy perspective on the sport's role in his life.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Lydia Ko. She had a successful comeback in 2024 after a difficult 2023 season. She shows great resilience and never gives up.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Min Woo Lee because he has a great sense of humor.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Scottie Scheffler, Lydia Ko and Happy Gilmore!
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
When teeing up the ball, make sure the line on the ball is out of sight or at least straight, or else the ball might go in the direction that the line is pointing.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Steak
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I enjoy drawing, baking and playing volleyball.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Recovering from three separate injuries: two broken bones and a sprained finger.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Confucius
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
When you are at your lowest, the only way to go is up.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Entrepreneur
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am witty, observant and outgoing.
