For young golfer Layla Phillips, a remarkable journey that began on a small par-3 golf course in South Los Angeles is taking her to one of the most prestigious stages in junior golf.
Phillips has officially been selected by Stephen Curry’s UNDERRATED Golf Tour (UGT) as one of 12 junior girls who will compete in the 2026 Curry Cup Championship at Bethpage Black in New York.\ The accomplishment represents far more than another tournament opportunity. It is a powerful example of how access, opportunity and exposure can change the trajectory of a young golfer.
Now a sophomore in high school, the South LA, CA native has won roughly 50 Southern California PGA Junior events over the last half decade, and in December 2025 won the Southern California PGA Junior Tour Championship.
Phillips and her sister, Roxanne, began their golf journeys at Maggie Hathaway Golf Course, a small par-3 facility in Los Angeles named in honor of the longtime golf advocate who dedicated much of her life to expanding opportunities for young people in the sport.
To think that Phillips started playing at Maggie Hathaway and will now tee it up at Bethpage Black is nothing short of remarkable.
Bethpage Black is one of the most challenging and recognizable golf courses in the United States. The course has hosted major championships and is known for its demanding layout and iconic warning sign advising that it is recommended only for highly skilled golfers. In 2026, it will serve as the site of the UNDERRATED Golf Tour’s season-ending Curry Cup Championship.
For the South Los Angeles community, Phillips’ accomplishment is a source of tremendous pride.
From a South Los Angeles vantage point, Layla Phillips represents exactly what the UNDERRATED Golf Tour was created to accomplish: giving talented young golfers from urban communities access to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
The UNDERRATED Golf Tour was founded by NBA superstar Stephen Curry to increase equity, access and opportunity in golf. The tour is designed for junior golfers ages 12-18 and removes many of the financial barriers associated with competitive junior golf. The organization covers travel accommodations for the player and one parent or legal guardian, allowing young golfers to compete at some of the country’s most respected golf courses.
The tour also provides exposure that can be invaluable for young athletes pursuing college golf. Competing alongside some of the nation’s best junior golfers gives players an opportunity to develop their games, build relationships and gain visibility with college coaches and others throughout the golf industry.
The 2026 UNDERRATED season features regional competitions that determine the players who advance to the Curry Cup. According to the tour, the top 12 boys and top 12 girls in the Curry Cup standings qualify for the championship, with the championship field also including the European tournament winners.
For Phillips, the road from Maggie Hathaway to Bethpage Black illustrates why access matters.
A young golfer does not necessarily need to grow up at a country club or have unlimited financial resources to develop the talent necessary to compete at the highest levels of junior golf. Sometimes all that is needed is an opportunity, a supportive family, a place to play and the determination to keep improving.
Phillips has earned her opportunity.
Now, she will take the next step in her journey to Bethpage Black, carrying with her the pride of her family and the South Los Angeles community that watched her get her start.
Her story is also a reminder that the future of golf can be found in places that have historically been overlooked.
From a modest par-3 course in South Los Angeles to one of America’s most famous championship courses, Layla Phillips is showing what can happen when talented young golfers are given the opportunity to be seen, compete and dream bigger.
The journey continues at Bethpage Black. View the 2026 UNDERRATED Golf Tour standings
