Evans Golfer Kipp Madison Misses Drive, Chip and Putt Repeat

The 14-year-old came up short in his bid to win the national title for a second straight year.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:20am

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Kipp Madison, a 14-year-old golfer from Evans, Georgia, competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals on Sunday but was unable to defend his title from the previous year, falling just short of repeating as the champion.

Why it matters

The Drive, Chip and Putt competition is a prestigious junior golf event that showcases the skills of the best young golfers in the country. Madison's return to the finals was highly anticipated, as he had won the title the year prior, but he was unable to capture lightning in a bottle for a second straight victory.

The details

Madison, who is a student at Evans High School, finished in the top 3 in each of the three events (driving, chipping, and putting) but was not able to match his previous year's performance, ultimately falling short of the repeat title.

  • Kipp Madison won the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals in 2025.
  • The 2026 Drive, Chip and Putt national finals took place on Sunday, April 6, 2026.

The players

Kipp Madison

A 14-year-old golfer from Evans, Georgia who competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt national finals.

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The takeaway

While Kipp Madison was unable to defend his Drive, Chip and Putt title, his return to the national finals demonstrates his continued growth and development as a young, talented golfer. This experience will likely motivate him to work even harder to potentially reclaim the championship in the future.