Krish Patel and Jacob Mikula
Every year at the Invitational Shootout, veterans arrive armed with experience, course knowledge, and enough golf stories to fill a clubhouse. Every year, newcomers are politely welcomed and quietly reminded that winning this tournament is easier said than done.
On Friday, June 5, 2026 at George W. Dunne National Golf Course, Jacob Mikula and Krish Patel ignored all of that.
Making their first-ever appearance in the Invitational Shootout, the former Downers Grove South High School standouts stunned the field and captured the 2026 Invitational Shootout championship, becoming one of the few rookie teams in tournament history to claim the title in their debut.
Not bad for a pair of first-timers.
While many teams spent the day grinding through Dunne’s demanding layout, Mikula and Patel displayed the kind of chemistry that only comes from years of playing competitive golf together. The duo combined length off the tee, precise iron play, and a steady stream of clutch putts to navigate the challenges of Cook County’s premier championship course.
“What these young men accomplished today is nothing short of spectacular” said 2004 Shootout Champion Joe Hill. “The history of this great tournament is littered with the egos of guys who expected to contend immediately. That rarely, if ever happens. More often than not, the pressure becomes too much and the hot shots wind up soiling their trousers on the way to posting a score in the 80s.”
But for friends and family, their performance may have felt familiar. After all, anyone who followed high school golf in the western suburbs knows the names Jacob Mikula and Krish Patel. Both golfers helped establish Downers Grove South as one of the area’s premier programs, earning reputations as fierce competitors capable of going low when the pressure was highest.
That competitive pedigree was on full display Friday.
The Invitational Shootout has always been a unique test. Unlike a traditional tournament, the two-person scramble format rewards teamwork as much as individual talent. Successful teams must balance aggression with patience, know when to attack, and trust their partner when things don’t go according to plan.
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“I feel like the potential for these two guys is unprecedented” said McMouw Cup standout Mick McDonnell. “We’ve spent years under Les Dynasty. With George Les and his grandson winning last year, I think most people felt things would stay the same. Jacob and Krish officially put their stake in the ground at the Shootout, and I can’t wait to see an epic clash next year if the GOAT returns.”
Mikula and Patel appeared comfortable from the opening tee shot.
As the round progressed, it became increasingly clear that the newcomers weren’t simply enjoying the experience—they were contenders.
By the time the final putts dropped, the rookie duo had done something many seasoned Shootout veterans have spent years trying to accomplish: hoist the championship trophy.
Their victory adds another memorable chapter to the 31-year history of the event and serves as a reminder that every generation eventually gets its turn.
For the tournament’s longtime participants, the result may have been a wake-up call. The next wave of talent has officially arrived.
For Mikula and Patel, however, the victory represents something even more special.
In a tournament known for family traditions, longtime friendships, and annual rivalries, the pair instantly etched their names into Shootout history. Years from now, when stories are told about the great champions of the Invitational Shootout, there will be a special footnote next to their names:
Won it on the first try.
That’s a rare accomplishment anywhere in golf.
At the Invitational Shootout, it’s legendary.