A new golf prodigy is heading to Augusta. 11-year-old Arabell Tellez just earned her spot in the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Finals alongside 80 junior golfers.

Her daily routine and unique mindset are what got her to one of golf's biggest stages. “My heart was beating so fast when I found out I won,” Tellez said to CBS News Miami on Friday.

"I almost cried that day. My stepmom was crying on the phone," the youngster added.

Tellez practices twice each day, guided by a mindset she carries from home. “I try to at least get one percent better every day,” she said, echoing a phrase her father often reminds her of.

Even with a growing list of events, she doesn’t track the number anymore. She only knows it has been “a lot,” with medals and trophies to show for it.

She credits her coach, Caroline Culler, for shaping her game, while also acknowledging her father’s role in building that foundation.

Culler, meanwhile, points to something beyond training. She says Tellez has a trait that "cannot be taught... What is it? She likes to win." He describes the experience as something he is simply enjoying alongside her.

For Arabell Tellez, Augusta Is a Test of Precision

In 2024, a player from Texas, Texas Terry, won the Boys 10–11 division at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, finishing with 26 points and a one-point margin. The result came down to the final putt on the 18th green, which stopped within inches of the hole.

The win followed a routine built on daily practice. As he explained, spending a few hours at the course each day helped build confidence over time.

Across the three sections, driving, chipping, and putting, he remained consistent, placing within the top group in each. That balance played a role in securing the title.

So can Arabell Tellez make her mark at Augusta National Golf Club this weekend? Tell us what you believe in the comments.

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Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi