Tate Nichols Posts Best Ever Wyoming Finish at PGA National Invitational

Wheatland’s Tate Nichols finished as the runner-up at the 2026 PGA High School Golf National Invitational in Pinehurst, North Carolina, last weekend. It was the best finish by a Wyoming player in the history of the event. Nichols was one shot back of the winner with a two-round total of 135, or 9-under par. Jaxon Burr from Campbell County also finished inside the top 15 at this prestigious national golf showcase. Both will enter their senior season of high school golf this fall in Wyoming.

WHEATLAND'S TATE NICHOLS EXCELS ON THE NATIONAL STAGE

Weather in North Carolina forced the tournament to be shortened to 36 holes, instead of 54. Nichols fired an opening round 69 and was in a tie for fifth last Saturday. After Mother Nature interfered with Sunday’s second round, they continued play on Monday and finished the second round. Tate carded a 68 and moved up three spots to end up in second place. Trailing the leader by two shots, Nichols birdied the 18th hole, but the leader got a par to win by one.

4A boys’ champion Campbell County played the event as a team. They finished in the middle of the pack and placed No. 32 out of 55 squads. The Camels were at 44-over par with a team score of 620. They shot 311 in round one and 309 in round two.

Burr led Campbell County with a two-round total of 4-under par and tied for 13th place. He had rounds of 68 and 72.

Cade Peterson led the rest of the Camels’ squad. He was at 7-over par and tied for 104th. Jackson Laakso tied for 182nd and ended at plus-14. Cash Gray from CCHS tied for 261st place at 27-over par. Drew Gemar finished at plus-46 and tied for 300th.

The other individuals were Laramie’s Carson Moniz and Kemmerer’s Trevan Benson. Moniz ended up at 20-over par and tied for 222nd place. Benson was at plus-24 and tied for 246th.

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Next Up the Junior America’s Cup

Tate Nichols, Jaxon Burr and Cade Peterson will join Laramie’s Brock Lehning at the Junior America’s Cup in San Diego, CA, July 26-30, 2026. The event will be played at the La Costa Golf Club.

The 2026 Wyoming High School golf season starts on Aug. 12. The state championships will be Sept. 18-19 and 22-23.