Drive, Chip and Putt finalists announced for 2015

The 2015 Drive, Chip and Putt Championship National Finals at Augusta National Golf Club will feature 80 junior golfers from 30 states and three Canadian provinces.

The second annual championship will be held April 5, the Sunday prior to the start of the Masters Tournament. It will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.

The Drive, Chip and Putt Championship is a free, nationwide junior competition focusing on the three fundamental skills employed in golf. There were 10 regional qualifiers, with the third and final stage leading to the 2015 finals.

Five competitors from the 2014 event will return, including one returning champion – Kelly Xu of Santa Monica, Calif. She will compete in the Girls 10-11 Division after winning the Girls 7-9 Division this past April.

Local qualifying was held in May, June and July at more than 250 sites across the United States. The top three scorers per venue, in each of four age categories in boys and girls divisions, advanced to 49 sub-regional qualifiers in August. Two juniors in each age and gender division competed at the regional level through September.

The top finisher from each regional site’s age and gender divisions earned a place in the finals.

Qualifying results can be found at drivechipandputt.com.