Goins storms past Garnett to reach first 2026 PPA Finals final

The margin mattered because Garnett had come through pool play unbeaten, yet never looked like he could settle in against Goins. At Life Time Rancho San Clemente, the 18-year-old from Bradenton, Florida, kept Garnett pinned back, passed with far more authority, and denied the usual counterattacks that make Garnett dangerous when he gets into rhythm. In an invite-only field that brought together only the top 8 in singles and mixed and the top 16 in gender doubles, that kind of control stood out even more.

Goins entered the PPA Finals with a resume that already hinted at another surge. He had won his first PPA singles gold at the Veolia Bristol Open in August 2025, followed it with a second straight title in Las Vegas in September, and added bronze at the Greater Zion Cup the month before San Clemente. He had also shown this ceiling earlier in the year, when he upset Ben Johns at Cape Coral on his way to bronze. The PPA Tour listed Goins as 18 years old, 6-foot-2, right-handed, turned pro in 2024, and ranked sixth in singles when the results were posted.

That semifinal was the clearest sign yet that Goins’ late-2025 momentum had not faded. After a quieter stretch between medals, he looked sharp from the opening points against Garnett, setting the pace instead of reacting to it. Against a player who had already survived pool play without a loss, Goins made the match feel one-sided almost immediately.