2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Claire Brady
Orchard Park
,
NY
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
Region: Middle Atlantic
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:
5 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
9: 34 and 18: 70
HANDICAP INDEX:
3.3
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
My grandpa was always doing something golf related and always had lots of fun, so I wanted to join him.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My grandpa
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
My sister, my mom and my teammates
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Cameron Eddy
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love being surrounded by nature and chasing perfection.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
Keeping your mental game strong when things out of your control go wrong.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
8 iron
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Pebble Beach
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Advancing to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
One bad shot doesn’t put you out of anything and short game is beyond crucial.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
I have in the past.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Getting to play at prestigious courses at the Regionals.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
In my Subregional, I made both the six and 30-foot putt to advance. In the Regional, I holed two of my chips and hit the other within a few inches.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
Yes, in 2018 I played my first Local Qualifier. In 2019, I finished third in my Local and made it to the Subregional. In 2021, I finished second in both the Local and Subregional and 8th at the Regional. In 2022, I did not advance out of the Local. In 2023, I finished second in the Local and didn’t advance out of the Subregional. In 2024, I finished second in the Local and third at the Subregional. In 2025, I finished second at my Local and won both the Subregional and Regional!
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?
Yes, we watch it as a family every year. It always makes me want to work extra hard to try and get there.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, putting, driving
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My white Titleist hat
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy because he kept chasing the Grand Slam even when he kept coming up short. His decade-long patience and commitment gave him the ultimate reward last April.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Charley Hull because she always takes the time to interact with those watching her no matter the circumstances. We met her at the Solheim Cup after the Saturday afternoon session and she was the last player there, and was so kind to everyone who wanted to meet her.
HAVE YOUR EVER PLAYED WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS? IF SO, WHO? PLEASE DESCRIBE THE CIRCUMSTANCES:
I putted with Nancy Lopez in 2022 at a charity tournament at Locust Hill.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
My grandpa, my little cousin Nora and Charley Hull
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I always use the same style/color of hat and ball marker.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Caesar salad, caprese, roasted broccoli, seafood linguine and macarons.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I swim competitively year round. I enjoy skiing during the winter as well.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Living in Upstate New York, where I can’t play outside half the year. We have to get creative with ways to practice indoors.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My role model is my best friend Hannah. She gives it her all no matter what and stays consistent in trusting the process even when it seems impossible. She reaped the rewards of her incredible work ethic the past few months and still works as hard as she did before this success. She is a superb teammate and is always cheering the loudest at swim meets.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
My coach always says to be the most resilient person on the golf course. This always comes to mind when I need to keep pushing and bounce back.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Lawyer or radiologist
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I am hardworking, detail oriented and witty.
