26th Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship set for June 3-5
The Legends Junior Tour returns to Lakewood Country Club for the 26th edition of the Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, set for June 3–5. The prestigious all-boys major will once again showcase the top junior golfers from Texas and surrounding states.
“It’s always an exciting time of year when this event rolls around,” said Legends Junior Tour Director Scott Davidson. “This championship really kicks off our summer season, and there’s no better way to start. It’s one of our most respected events—not just because of the legendary names who’ve won it, but because of the level of talent it draws every single year.”
Veritex Community Bank returns as the title sponsor for a seventh consecutive year. The bank’s CEO and president, Malcolm Holland, was part of the founding group that launched the tournament in 1999.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Legends Junior Tour back to Lakewood for another year of incredible golf,” said Craig Liddle, director of golf at Lakewood Country Club. “Over the years, we’ve seen some extraordinary talent tee it up here—players who’ve gone on to achieve great things in the sport. We’re confident this year’s field will be no different.”
The championship will serve as the second boys’ major of the 2025 LJT season. Its alumni list reads like a who’s who of elite amateur and professional golf, including Ryan Baca, Cody Gribble, Chandler Phillips, Pierceson Coody, Jordan Spieth and Preston Stout. Only Spieth and Stout have won the event three times.
This year’s field is stacked with rising stars who have already stacked résumé and are looking to add to it. Some of the names include:
- Asher Vargas – Junior Presidents Cup team member and North Carolina commit (No. 19 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Brooks Simmons – University of Texas commit (No. 20 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Shiv Parmar – Texas A&M commit (No. 25 Junior Golf Scoreboard), 2025 Texas Cup Champion, and 98th Texas Junior Amateur Boys Champion
- Reese Roberts – Missouri commit and 115th Texas Amateur champion (No. 36 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Nicholas Logis – SMU commit (No. 64 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Nathan Miller – TCU commit (No. 67 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Brooks Harper – University of Texas commit (No. 70 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
- Jaxon Bandelier – Oklahoma State commit (No. 100 Junior Golf Scoreboard)
At the 25th Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, Luke Colton would be crowned champion. A Vanderbilt Verbal commit and Junior Presidents Cup team member fired rounds of 66-67-69 to finish 11-under par and edge the field by a single stroke. His win came against a talented field that included soon-to-be crowned U.S. Junior Amateur champion Trevor Gutschewski.
This year’s tournament will feature an 84-player field competing over 54 holes of stroke play. Following 36 holes, the field will be cut to the low 30 players and ties for the final round.
The event is recognized by World Amateur Golf, Golfweek and Junior Golf Scoreboard rankings, with top finishers earning valuable AJGA Performance Stars, including Fully Exempt status.
An 18-hole qualifier will be held Monday, June 2, with four spots available in the tournament field.
The opening round tees off Tuesday, June 3, at 8 a.m. from both the No. 1 and No. 10 tees. To learn more about the 26th Veritex Bank Byron Nelson Junior Championship, click here.