2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Peyton Landon
Fort Collins
,
Colorado
Age: 14 - 15
Gender: Girls
Region: Midwest
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.
DO YOU PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED?
Right
AT WHAT AGE DID YOU START PLAYING GOLF?
12
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
Nine (32, -4) Eighteen (71, -1)
HANDICAP INDEX:
+0.3
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
When I was in fifth grade. I found out that the middle school I would be attending had a golf team and I wanted to make the team.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My dad. We have always lived on golf courses so I was around golf growing up and my dad always took me to the driving range with him, but I didn't really start playing until I was 12.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I love playing golf with my friends and do it often. I also really enjoy spending time on the course with my family.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Joe Thiel
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
What I love most about golf is when the shot I picture in my mind is exactly the shot I hit, there’s no better feeling. I love making long putts to save par or make birdie, I love sticking an approach shot close to the pin or draining a short putt I know I have to make. Maybe best of all, I love seeing my game improve over time.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The toughest part of golf is the mental game. It’s challenging to stay composed on the course, especially during tournaments, when things just aren’t going your way. Bouncing back after a bad hole takes a lot of mental strength and it’s not easy to keep your confidence and trust your game in those moments.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
My 9-iron
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
In 2024 I won the girls 13U CO State Championship and winning DCP Regionals to advance to Augusta National.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
It is a very different experience than normal tournaments. Drive, Chip and Putt is definitely challenging, but I’ve learned that as long as I know I gave it my best, there’s no reason to be disappointed. My advice is to work hard and always do your best.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
Cheering for all of my friends at the events.
DESCRIBE ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
After I finished my Regional Qualifier at Hazeltine I called my dad and got to tell him that I won and that we're going to Augusta. That was a really special moment.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
I made it to the Regional Qualifier at Castle Pines in 2023 and got 12th. In 2024 I made it to Subregionals and got third.
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 always watch Drive, Chip and Putt on TV, and it's actually one of the reasons why I started playing golf. I remember watching it and thinking how cool it would be to be one of those kids competing on TV.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Chipping, putting, driving
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
My pink Titleist hat
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Scottie Scheffler because I like his attitude and the way he approaches golf.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Nelly Korda because she has an amazing golf swing and attitude. I admire how she handles herself on and off the golf course.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Tiger Woods, for all the clutch shots he hit when they counted the most.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Nelly Korda, Scottie Scheffler and Rose Zhang
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Yes, I have to wear a hair tie on my left wrist and a bracelet on my right wrist.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
I would serve steak with mashed potatoes and for dessert we would have cheesecake.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Majority of my time is spent playing golf, but in the summer I like to go swimming with friends.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES/ROLE MODELS?
My parents
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
You can get anything you want in life as long as work as hard as you can to get it.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Professional golfer
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I would describe myself as a kind, nice person. I am a hard worker and I am very positive.
