2026 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship
Yien Li
Aurora
,
Ontario
Age: 7 - 9
Gender: Boys
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 handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
6.5 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
67 (-5) 18 Holes
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I joined a kids golf summer camp.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
Family friends
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
Students of the same golf academy
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Sean Casey
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
Making friends and playing different golf courses.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
The mental game
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF CLUB?
Driver
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Augusta National
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Becoming one of the DCP National Finalists.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER JUNIORS PARTICIPATING IN DCP WHO ARE TRYING TO REACH THE NATIONAL FINALS?
Try your best regardless of the results.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
Yes, I played in the First Tee tournament at Trump Doral Miami on December 18-19, 2025.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I love the competition in DCP.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
When I knew I won the ticket to Augusta.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFIY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
No.
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. I saw a few golfers I played with before on TV. That looked so cool, I want to be there too.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, chipping, putting
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF ACCESSORY (HAT, HEADCOVER, BALL MARKER, ETC.)?
Headcover
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favourite male golfer is Rory McIlroy. I like him because he hits the ball really far and his swing looks very fast and clean. I always try to copy his tempo.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
My favourite female golfer is Brooke Henderson, because she is powerful, consistent and always stays calm under pressure. I like how confidently she swings and how she represents Canada.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
The coolest player in golf is Tiger Woods. He’s so cool that even people who don’t play golf know who he is. Everyone stops to watch when he hits a shot.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Scottie Scheffler.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
I hit and pray. I also eat instant noodles in the morning before the tournament.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Fried dumplings and ramen.
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
Piano, soccer, hockey and snowboarding.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
Jager Pain, one of the best junior golfers in Ontario.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
Try your best in every circumstance.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
A professional golfer.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
I’m energetic and optimistic.
