Sacramento represented in young golfers’ tournament launched by Steph Curry

Three Sacramento-area junior golfers participated in the Underrated Golf Tour, an initiative launched by NBA star Steph Curry to expand equity, access, and opportunity for student-athletes from diverse communities.

Curry started Underrated as a basketball showcase in 2019, then expanded the mission with the Underrated Golf Tour in 2022, partnering with the American Junior Golf Association.

Elk Grove natives Jayden Lizama and Gianna Singh, along with Tre Garza of Roseville, earned spots in the tour after seeing a social media post and being encouraged by friends to apply.

The tour featured four stops — Colorado Springs, Colorado; French Lick, Indiana; Palm Springs; and Jacksonville, Florida — with each serving as a qualifier for the championship Curry Cup in Jersey City, New Jersey.

“Each year, the Underrated Golf Tour continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible for young golfers who may not have traditionally had access to the game,” Curry said in a news release. “We are creating lasting opportunities that extend well beyond the golf course. … I can’t wait to see what this next generation of players will accomplish.”

The top 28 golfers — 14 boys and 14 girls — advanced to the Curry Cup in September, qualifying either by earning points throughout the season or winning a tour stop.

“The Curry Cup is the ultimate goal for many of these golfers and I’m excited to see how they’ll perform when everyone comes together in September for a final showdown,” Curry said.

Lizama and Singh secured their spots with wins.

Singh, 16, placed first in the girls division at Eisenhower Golf Course at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and is ranked sixth in the Curry Cup standings.

“I think my experience in Underrated has been really amazing. It’s really cool to play all these championship courses (and) to travel around the U.S.,” Singh said. “I feel like I can take how I’m playing right now and see my future in golf. I feel like I will turn out to be pretty good.”

A senior at Elk Grove Charter High School, Singh began playing golf before she could walk, introduced by her father. She entered her first tournament at age 6. One of her inspirations is LPGA star Lexi Thompson, whom she has met multiple times.

“She autographed my flag and one of my clubs,” Singh said. “And then I met her at one of the Curry Cup sites two years ago. … She gave me her ball and one of her gloves. She’s just one of my idols and I hope to be like her once I go on tour.”

Singh plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix in fall 2026.

Lizama, 17, shot seven under par to win at the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West in Palm Springs. He is first overall in the Curry Cup standings.

He said the victory was especially meaningful with his family in attendance.

“(It’s) nice for them to all come and then experience that,” Lizama said. “It was hot, but I played some good golf and was able to win … it was nice to celebrate the win with them dumping water. It was special, everything about it.”

Lizama began golfing at age 2 and entered tournaments at 5. He recently graduated from Franklin High School but skipped his ceremony to compete in the European Underrated Golf Tournament in England, where he tied for second.

His idols include Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler and his parents. The Gonzaga University commit begins his freshman year Aug. 20 in Spokane, Washington.

“My end goal is to be on the PGA Tour,” Lizama said. “Not just be on the PGA Tour, but also win and be contending in each and every event. I think that’d be a really nice life for me.”

Garza, 16, just missed the top 14 in the Curry Cup standings but said the experience was invaluable.

“My experience on Underrated has been really amazing. I’ve been able to make memories for a lifetime on and off the golf course,” Garza said. “I’m so grateful for everyone who makes the tour what it is.”

Garza met Curry at the French Lick tournament, where he was personally selected to help carry the NBA star’s golf bags.

“Getting to meet Steph Curry was one of the craziest and most surreal moments of my life,” he said. “It was truly a joy to be able to meet Steph and talk with him. I learned so much about him, and he was super cool and a lot of fun to be around.”

A junior at Granite Bay High School, Garza hopes to play professional golf and said UGT’s tour-level courses have prepared him well. He started golfing at age 5, inspired by his father, a former college golfer, and his godfather, a former professional. Like Lizama, he also counts Woods and Scheffler as idols.

The three have pursued golf since early childhood with aspirations of turning professional. Curry’s aim is to help make those goals attainable.

“This is about more than just winning,” Curry said. “It’s about bringing fresh talent to the forefront, inspiring the next generation of golfers, and showcasing the diversity of the game. We want the Underrated Golf Tour to be a stepping stone for these young players to take their game to new heights.”

This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 8:50 AM.