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NCAA Division I Women’s National Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

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Wednesday 20th May 2025

MATCH PLAY – FINAL

NORTHWESTERN (3) upset favourites and defending champions STANFORD (1) 3.0-2.0 to win the 2025 NCAA Division I National Championship at Omni La Costa in California.

It was Northwestern’s first Championship in the history of it’s women’s golf program and a great reward for their 17 year head coach Emily Fletcher.

Northwestern (Photo: Northwestern Athletics)

Match Play – Final Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – 2025 MATCH PLAY – TEAM

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Tuesday 20th May 2025

MATCH PLAY – SEMI-FINALS

Stanford beat Florida State by 3.5-1.5 points to set up a Championship Match with Northwestern who overcame Oregon 3.0-2.0.

Megha GANNE (USA) beat Lottie WOAD (ENG) on the 20th Hole of their game whilst Kelly XU (USA) took out Sophia FULLBROOK (ENG) 5&4.

Match Play – Semi-Final Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

MATCH PLAY – QUARTER FINALS

The four top seeds, Stanford (1), Oregon (2), Northwestern (3) and Florida State (4), all progressed from the Quarter Final matches at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships.

In Florida State’s 3.5-1.5 victory over Southern California Lottie WOAD (ENG) beat Jasmine KOO (USA) by 4&3 but Sophie FULLBROOK (ENG) lost 6&5 to Kylie CHONG (USA).

Match Play – Quarter Final Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

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Monday 19th May 2025

STROKE PLAY ROUND 4

TEAM

STANFORD earned medalist honours with a -27 total team score. This was the lowest score in NCAA Women’s Golf Championship history and a full 21 shots better than the 2nd placed team OREGON. It was also the fifth consecutive year that Stanford have earned medalist honours.

NORTHWESTERN (+2), FLORIDA STATE (+3), SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (+4), ARKANSAS (+6), TEXAS (+8) and VIRGINIA (+15) made up the leading eight teams who advanced to the Match Play Stage.

Sadly from a GB&I perspective ARIZONA STATE (+16), SOUITH CAROLINA (+17) and LSU (+17) were the teams that narrowly missed out on advancing.

Stroke Play Team Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

INDIVIDUAL

Sophomore Marie JOSE MARIN (COL / Arkansas) won the Individual title with a -12 total at Omni La Costa after she finished off the Stroke Play Stage with a solid 3-under 69.

Maria Jose Marin (Photo: GolfWeek) 

Mirabel TING (MAL / Florida State) -10 finished 2nd, Kelly XU (USA / Stanford) -8 3rd, Paula MARTÍN SAMPEDRO (ESP / Stanford) -7 4th and Catherine PARK (USA / Southern California) & Megan PROPECK (USA / Virginia) -6 tied 5th.

The highest placed GB&I player was Lottie WOAD (ENG) who completed her 72 holes in -5 for a tied 8th result.

Here are the final results of the seven GB&I players who completed the full Stroke Play Stage: –

Lottie WOAD (ENG / Florida State) 72, 71, 71, 69 (-5) Tied 8th
Patience RHODES (ENG / Arizona State) 75, 72, 71, 74 (+5) Tied 36th
Beth COULTER (IRL / Arizona State) 70, 77, 74, 72 (+5) Tied 36th
Sophia FULLBROOK (ENG / Florida State) 75, 71, 73, 77 (+8) Tied 47th
Isla MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG / Arizona State) 77, 76, 72, 74 (+11) Tied 60th
Aine DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) 76, 75, 78, 72 (+13) Tied 67th
Hannah DARLING (SCO / South Carolina) 82, 73, 73, 76 (+16) Tied 73rd

Davina XANH (ENG / Auburn) 77, 74, 78 (+13) MISSED CUT
Marina JOYCE-MORENO (IRL / Ohio State) 73, 77, 82 (+16) MISSED CUT
Nellie ONG (ENG / Ohio State) 82, 75, 76 (+17) MISSED CUT
Gracie MAYO (WAL / Oklahoma) 80, 82, 76 (+22) MISSED CUT

Stroke Play Leading Individual Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – 2025 STROKE PLAY – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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Sunday 18th May 2025

STROKE PLAY ROUND 3

TEAM

STANFORD were even better on Day 3 shooting an outstanding 18-under par team score at Omni La Costa. They now lead NORTHWESTERN (-8) by 15-shots heading into the final stroke play qualifying round and look set to secure the top Match Play seeding.

OREGON (-2) are 3rd, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (Ev) 4th and FLORIDA STATE & ARKANSAS (+3) tied 5th.

The 54 hole cut, which sees only the leading 15 teams progress to the final stroke play round, fell at +18.

Stroke Play Round 3 Team Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

INDIVIDUAL

Marie JOSE MARIN (COL / Arkansas) moved in to the Individual lead on -9 with a bogey-free 65 (-7) in the third round.

Paula MARTÍN SAMPEDRO (ESP / Stanford) -8 is 2nd, Kelly XU (USA / Stanford) -7 3rd and Elsa SVENSSON (SWE / LSU) & Catherine PARK (USA / Southern California) -6 tied 4th.

Led by Ava MERRILL (USA / Vanderbilt) on -1 T17  the top 9 individuals not on one of the advancing teams also qualified for the final round.

The highest placed GB&I player remains Lottie WOAD (ENG) who stayed tied 13th on -2 after another 71.

Seven of the 11 GB&I players made it through to the final stroke Play round: –

Lottie WOAD (ENG / Florida State) 72, 71, 71 (-2) Tied 13th
Patience RHODES (ENG / Arizona State) 75, 72, 71 (+2) Tied 28th
Sophia FULLBROOK (ENG / Florida State) 75, 71, 73 (+3) Tied 37th
Beth COULTER (IRL / Arizona State) 70, 77, 74 (+5) Tied 45th
Isla MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG / Arizona State) 77, 76, 72 (+9) Tied 62nd
Hannah DARLING (SCO / South Carolina) 82, 73, 73 (+12) Tied 72nd
Aine DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) 76, 75, 78 (+13) Tied 76th

Davina XANH (ENG / Auburn) 77, 74, 78 (+13) MISSED CUT
Marina JOYCE-MORENO (IRL / Ohio State) 73, 77, 82 (+16) MISSED CUT
Nellie ONG (ENG / Ohio State) 82, 75, 76 (+17) MISSED CUT
Gracie MAYO (WAL / Oklahoma) 80, 82, 76 (+22) MISSED CUT

Stroke Play Leading Round 3 Individual Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

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Saturday 17th May 2025

STROKE PLAY ROUND 2

TEAM

STANFORD produced a superb 10-under par team score on Day 2 to jump into the lead on -5. The Cardinals are now the only team under par in the Stroke Play Stage of the Championship.

NORTHWESTERN (Ev) are 2nd, OREGON (-1) 3rd and SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA & FLORIDA STATE (+3) tied 4th.

Overnight leaders VANDERBILT, +18 in Round 2, tumbled down the leaderboard to 13th on +12 at Omni La Costa.

Stroke Play Round 2 Team Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

INDIVIDUAL

With rounds of 69 and 68 Avery WEED (USA / Mississippi State) holds the 36 hole Individual lead on -7.

Elia GALITSKY (USA / South Carolina) -5 is 2nd and Catherine PARK (USA / Southern California), Elsa SVENSSON (SWE / LSU) & Grace KILCREASE (USA / Oklahoma State) -4 tied 3rd.

The highest placed GB&I player is now Lottie WOAD (ENG) who followed her opening 72 with a 71 to move up to tied 13th on -1.

Here are the Round 2 Individual scores / positions for all of the GB&I players: –

Lottie WOAD (ENG / Florida State) 72, 71 (-1) Tied 13th
Sophia FULLBROOK (ENG / Florida State) 75, 71 (+2) Tied 33rd
Beth COULTER (IRL / Arizona State) 70, 77 (+3) Tied 43rd
Patience RHODES (ENG / Arizona State) 75, 72 (+3) Tied 43rd
Marina JOYCE-MORENO (IRL / Ohio State) 73, 77 (+6) Tied 80th
Aine DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) 76, 75 (+7) Tied 93rd
Davina XANH (ENG / Auburn) 77, 74 (+7) Tied 93rd
Isla MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG / Arizona State) 77, 76 (+9) Tied 117th
Hannah DARLING (SCO / South Carolina) 82, 73 (+11) Tied 129th
Nellie ONG (ENG / Ohio State) 82, 75 (+13) Tied 141st
Gracie MAYO (WAL / Oklahoma) 80, 82 (+18) Tied 150th

Stroke Play Leading Round 2 Individual Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

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Friday 16th May 2025

STROKE PLAY ROUND 1

TEAM

VANDERBILT lead the National Championships with a 282 (-6) Round 1 team score at Omni La Costa in California.

OKLAHOMA STATE (-4) are 2nd and ARIZONA STATE, OREGON, TEXAS & FLORIDA (Ev) tied 3rd.

By way of reminder the initial aim for all of the teams is to make the top 15 after 54 holes when a cut will take place before the final stroke play round.

Stroke Play Round 1 Team Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

INDIVIDUAL

Bailey DAVIS (USA / Tennessee) 67 (-5) leads the Individual standings at the end of Day 1 from Elsa SVENSSON (SWE / LSU), Lauren KIM (CAN / Texas) & Catherine PARK (USA / Southern California).

Beth COULTER (IRL) was the best of the 11 GB&I players with an opening 70 (-2) which saw her finish the day in tied 10th.

Here are the Round 1 Individual scores / positions for all of the GB&I players: –

Beth COULTER (IRL / Arizona State) 70 (-2) Tied 10th
Lottie WOAD (ENG / Florida State) 72 (Ev) Tied 27th
Marina JOYCE-MORENO (IRL / Ohio State) 73 (+1) Tied 46th
Patience RHODES (ENG / Arizona State) 75 (+3) Tied 78th
Sophia FULLBROOK (ENG / Florida State) 75 (+3) Tied 78th
Aine DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) 76 (+4) Tied 98th
Isla MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG / Arizona State) 77 (+5) Tied 111th
Davina XANH (ENG / Auburn) 77 (+5) Tied 111th
Gracie MAYO (WAL / Oklahoma) 80 (+8) Tied 144th
Nellie ONG (ENG / Ohio State) 82 (+10) Tied 150th
Hannah DARLING (SCO / South Carolina) 82 (+10) Tied 150th

Stroke Play Leading Round 1 Individual Scores (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

In addition to the top 15 teams the leading 9 individuals not on one of those teams will also advance to the final stroke play round being played on Monday.

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8th May 2025

The 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s National Golf Championship will be played at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California on 16th-21st May 2025.

This is the second of three NCAA National Men’s and Women’s Golf Championships that will be staged at La Costa. As in 2024 the event is being hosted by the University of Texas.

A former long time PGA Tour stop off the North Course has recently been re-designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner and last year’s Women’s Championship marked its official re-opening.

The women’s championship course plays 6,297 yards with a par of 72.

30 5-woman teams and 6 individuals not on those teams qualified to play through six Regional events played on 5th-7th May. To learn more about these Regionals please read my earlier article – NCAA Division I Women’s Regionals – 2025 Preview & Results

At the National Championship 54 holes of stroke play will be played on 16th-18th May. A cut will then take place which will see the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams play a final 18 holes on 19th May. Team scores in the stroke play stage are based on a best four from five players cumulative total. After 72 holes an Individual champion is crowned with the leading 8 teams progressing to a match play stage. Seeded match play will then take place on 20th-21st May to determine the Team national champions.

Here is a list of the team and individual qualifiers along with their Regional site results in brackets.

There are 11 players from Great Britain & Ireland competing this year; they are highlighted in blue below alongside their college.

TEAMS

Arizona State (2nd Gold Canyon) – BETH COULTER (IRL), ISLA MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG), PATIENCE RHODES (ENG)

Arkansas (2nd Columbus)

Baylor (1st Norman)

CSU Fullerton (5th Gold Canyon) – DAVINA XANH (ENG)

Florida (T3 Charlottesville)

Florida State (1st Lexington) – SOPHIA FULLBROOOK (ENG), LOTTIE WOAD (ENG)

Georgia Southern (T2 Lexington)

Iowa State (3rd Lubbock)

Kansas (1st Columbus) – LILY HIRST (ENG) NS

Kansas State (T2 Lexington)

LSU (5th Columbus) – ÁINE DONEGAN (IRL)

Michigan State (1st Norman)

Mississippi State (4th Gold Canyon)

Northwestern (1st Norman)

Ohio State (3rd Columbus) – NELLIE ONG (ENG), MARINA JOYCE-MORENO (IRL)

Oklahoma (1st Norman) – GRACIE MAYO (WAL)

Oklahoma State (3rd Gold Canyon)

Ole Miss (2nd Charlottesville)

Oregon (1st Gold Canyon)

Purdue (5th Lubbock)

South Carolina (1st Charlottesville) – HANNAH DARLING (SCO)

Southern California (4th Lexington)

Stanford (1st Norman)

Tennessee (4th Lubbock)

Texas (2nd Lubbock)

UCLA (5th Charlottesville)

UNLV (4th Columbus)

Vanderbilt (5th Lexington)

Virginia (T3 Charlottesville)

Wake Forest (1st Lubbock)

INDIVIDUALS

Sofia Barroso Sá (4th Lexington)

Anna Davis – Auburn (6th Gold Canyon)

Lousiane Gauthier – Florida Gulf Coast (4th Lubbock)

Marie Madsen – NC State (1st Charlottesville)

Audrey Ryu – Furman (7th Norman)

Moa Svedenskiold – Houston (5th Columbus)

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2024 Results

STANFORD (#1) beat UCLA (#6) 3-2-0 in the Final of the NCAA Div. I Women’s National Championship at Omni La Costa Golf Resort & Spa in California.

The Cardinals, led by their Scottish head coach Anne Walker, won their third Championship in the match play era and second in three years.

Senior Rachel Heck who has battled injuries in recent years secured the winning point in the final game. Kelly Xu and Megha Ganne were the other point winners.

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Stanford Women’s Golf Team

Adela CERNOUSEK (FRA / Texas A&M) -12 won the Individual title. Surprisingly she ended her third year in Texas with her first collegiate win.

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Adela Cernousek (Photo: Kelly Okun, Fairway to Green)

Here are the Individual results / positions for all of the GB&I players who competed in 2024: –

After 72 Holes 

Lottie WOAD (ENG / Florida State) 65, 74, 71, 69 (-9) 2nd
Aine DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) 74, 67, 71, 71 (-5) Tied 4th
Mimi RHODES (ENG / Wake Forest) 72, 72, 74, 70 (Ev) Tied 10th
Patience RHODES (ENG / Arizona State) 73, 74, 73, 76 (+8) Tied 39th
Anna FOSTER (IRL / Auburn) 75, 74, 77, 74 (+12) Tied 53rd
Charlotte HEATH (ENG / Florida State) 75, 77, 76, 74 (+14) Tied 62nd

Missed the 54 Hole Cut

Beth COULTER (IRL / Arizona State) 73, 82, 76 (+15) Tied 114th
Rosie BELSHAM (ENG / Baylor) 78, 77, 78 (+17) Tied 124th
Hannah DARLING (SCO / South Carolina) 84 (+12), NS, NS

CLICK HERE FOR THE GOLFSTAT RESULTS – 2024 MATCH PLAY – TEAM

CLICK HERE FOR THE GOLFSTAT RESULTS – 2024 STROKE PLAY – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

Irish Amateur Open Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

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Sunday 11th May 2025

Round 4

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) beat Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) on the third play-off hole to win the Flogas-sponsored Irish Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint Golf Links.

Both players finished the 72 holes on 273 (-15) after they both impressively produced bogey-free rounds under the pressure of the final day; recently reinstated amateur Grehan, who plays out of neighbouring County Louth, a 66 and Hayward a 69.

Defending champion Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) finished as he started with the low round of the day; his 65, which included eight birdies, lifting him up the leaderboard into 3rd place.

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) backed up his tied 3rd result at last week’s Lytham Trophy with a 4th place finish in Ireland.

Greg HOLMES (ENG) -11 finished in 5th and Gerry DUNNE (IRL) -11 6th on final round count back.

The average Round 4 score was 72.10 with 34 of the remaining 59 players shooting par or better.

Final Results (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2025 Irish Amateur Open Results

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Saturday 10th May 2025

Round 3

Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) and Gerry DUNNE (IRL) both recorded 2-under par 70’s in the third round at Seapoint to give themselves a 2-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round. They will both start the day on 204 (-12) after strong finishes; Hayward birdied his closing two holes whilst Dunne eagled the 18th.

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) enjoyed the second best round of the day with his 67, moving into 3rd alone on 206 (-10).

Matt Roberts’ 54 hole Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Archie DAVIES (WAL) and Stuart GREHAN (IRL) are tied 4th on -9 with Greg HOLMES (ENG) two shots further back in 6th place.

Overnight co-leader and defending champion Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) will start the final round in tied 7th after he shot a disappointing 76 to probably fall out of contention on -6.

The field found scoring slightly harder on Day 3 with the average score being 73.94, although more players, 51, shot par or better.

Shot of the day came from Conor HICKEY (IRL) who recorded a hole in one on the par 3 187 yard 17th.

59 players made the top 50 and ties 54 hole cut which fell at 219 (+3).

Round 3 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Friday 9th May 2025

Round 2

Lewy HAYWARD (ENG), Gerry DUNNE (IRL) and Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) share the 36 hole lead on 134 (-10).

Hayward, alongside Lewis GOWDY (IRL), produced the joint best round of the day with a blemish free 7-under 65.

Lewy Hayward’s 36 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) -9 is 4th, Archie DAVIES (WAL) & Greg HOLMES (ENG) -5 tied 5th, Lewis GOWDY (IRL) -7 6th and David HOWARD (IRL) & Colm CAMPBELL (IRL) -6 tied 8th.

The average Round 2 score was 73.71, slightly higher than yesterday, with 49 competitors shooting par or better at Seapoint Golf Links.

Round 2 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Thursday 8th May 2025

Round 1

Defending champion Matthew MCCLEAN (IRL) produced a course record 8-under 64 at Seapoint to take the early lead in the Irish Amateur Open.

Matthew McClean’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

On a low scoring day Charlie MCDONNELL (IRL) -7 is 2nd, Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Caelan COLEMAN (IRL) -6 tied 3rd and Colm CAMPBELL (IRL), Gerry DUNNE (IRL) & Greg HOLMES (ENG) -5 tied 5th.

The average Round 1 score was 73.41 with 56 competitors shooting par or better.

Round 1 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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6th May 2025

The Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by Flogas, starts on Thursday 8th May 2025 at Seapoint Golf Links near Drogheda, County Louth on Ireland’s east coast.

It will be the 86th playing of this prestigious Championship but the first time it has visited Seapoint.

Seapoint’s 2nd Hole (Photo: Seaport G.C.)

Format

Organised by Golf Ireland the Irish Amateur Open is a 72-hole stroke play event played over four days.

18 holes will be played on each of the first three days before a top 50 and ties cut is made. A final 18 holes will then be played by the leading competitors on Sunday.

A tie for the Championship will be resolved by a sudden death play-off. All other ties will be resolved by a last eighteen and then last nine countback.

The Irish Amateur Open Champion Golfer is awarded a superb silver trophy (see photo below). Irish winners are allowed to take the trophy back to their Club for the year whereas overseas winners must return it to the organisers after the prize presentation.

Players

132 golfers will contest the 2025 Championship.

I expect the following players to do well (in alphabetical order): Colm CAMPBELL (IRL), Paul COUGHLAN (IRL), Brian DORAN (IRL), TJ FORD (IRL), Stuart GREHAN (IRL), Dylan HOLMES (IRL), David KITT (IRL), Matt MCCLEAN (IRL), Jack MCDONNELL (IRL), Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL), Matt ROBERTS (WAL) and Gregor TAIT (SCO).

It will also be interesting to see how Seapoint’s Dylan KEATING (IRL) gets on around his home course.

Like all events played before June the field quality isn’t helped by the large number of GB&I and European players now playing on the U.S. college circuit.

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2025 Irish Amateur Open Tee Times

Players will tee off, from the 1st and 10th tees, between 8.00am and 2.55pm in three-balls on each of the first three days so changes in the weather and wind speeds throughout each day could play a big part in scoring.

Course

Seapoint is a modern championship links course designed by Des Smyth in the early 1990s and opened for play in June 1993.

Located adjacent to Termonfeckin Beach the course is 7,150 yards from the back tees and has a par of 72.

Over the last 30 years it has hosted a number of professional events as well as the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 2014 which was won by JR Galbraith.

Weather Forecast (as at Tuesday 6th May)

The weather forecast for this week looks very good for all four days – mainly sunny with only light winds expected.

Thu 8th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 11 mph E / Temp. Min. 7°C / Max. 15°C.
Fri  9th May – Sunny / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 6°C / Max. 15°C.
Sat  10th May – Sunny / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 16°C.
Sun 11th May – Sunny / Wind 8 mph E / Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 16°C.

The 2024 Irish Amateur Open Championship

Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) won the 2024 Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo G.C., his first Irish Championship.

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Matt McClean (Photo: Golf Ireland)

McClean’s 273 (-11) total was 2-shots better than Liam NOLAN (IRL). TJ FORD (IRL) produced a superb final round 65 to finish in 3rd place on -6. Oswestry’s Tom MATTHEWS (WAL) -5 came in 4th and Hugh FOLEY (IRL) -4 5th.

Click here to view the – 2024 Irish Amateur Open Championship Results

History, Past Winners and Records

The Irish Amateur Open Championship was first played in 1892 with early winners including the English amateur greats John Ball and Harold Hilton.

Between 1894 and 1901 (6 years) the competition was played as part of the Irish Championship Meeting alongside a professional tournament.

The Championship was not played during both World Wars.

It was also not played between 1960 and 1994 due to a lack of interest from overseas players amidst concerns over safety.

Prior to 1958 it was a match play event but since returning to the amateur calendar in 1995 it has been 72 holes of stroke play.

To view a list of past winners click here – Irish Amateur Open Past Champions

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2025 Preview & Results

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14th May 2025

Here is a summary of the results from the six 54-hole NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional Championships which were played on 12th-14th May 2025.

The low five teams (30 in total) and the low individual (6 in total) not on one of those teams from each Regional advanced to the National Championships.

For more information on these Regional Championships please read the Preview article lower down this page.

The 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship will be played at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California on 23rd-28th May 2025.

AMHERST, VIRGINIA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Oklahoma (-10), 2nd Vanderbilt (-6), 3rd Tennessee (-5), 4th Wake Forest (-1), 5th Pepperdine (+9)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Jackson Van Paris (USA / Vanderbilt) -8

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: T2 Sakke Siltala (FIN / Texas State) -5

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T14 JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) -1
Non-Qualified – T6 MARK STOCKDALE (ENG / ARKANSAS) -3, T20 TOM SCULLION (ENG / FLORIDA GULF COAST) +1, T55 MATTY DODD-BERRY (ENG / LSU) +11

AUBURN, ALABAMA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Auburn (-32), 2nd Texas A&M (-5), 3rd UCLA (+6), 4th Purdue (+9), 5th Georgia Tech (+10)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Jackson Koivun (USA / Auburn) -12

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: T2 Claes Borregaard (DEN / Kennesaw State) -8

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T31 JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) +6, T52 SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) +11
Non-Qualified – T31 JOE PAGDIN (ENG / TCU) +5, T43 JAY GOULD-HEALY (IRL / OREGON) +9, T48 ENRIQUE DIMAYUGA (SGP / SMU) +10, T52 JACK MAXEY (ENG / ARKANSAS STATE – IND) +11, T61 ALEXANDER ROWLAND (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) +14, FREDDIE TURNELL (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) DNF, ED FEATHERSTONE (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) DNF, ARCHIE SMITH (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) DNF

BREMERTON, WASHINGTON

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Florida (-28), 2nd Arizona State (-25), 3rd Colorado (-4), 4th USF (-2), 5th South Carolina (Ev)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Braxton Watts (USA / Utah) -12

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 1st Braxton Watts (USA / Utah) -12

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – 4th LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) -10,
Non-Qualified – T12 SEB CAVE (ENG / CHARLOTTE) -2, T27 FRAZER JONES (ENG / CHARLOTTE) +3, T49 JACK LEE (ENG / COASTAL CAROLINA) +7, T59 DREW SYKES (ENG / COASTAL CAROLINA) +12

RENO NEVADA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Brigham Young (-15), 2nd Virginia (-11), 3rd Texas (-8), 4th San Diego (+8), 5th California (+9)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Paul Chang (CHN / Virginia) -10

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: T3 Bryan Kim (USA /Duke) -6

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – None
Non-Qualified – T17 GAVIN TIERNAN (IRL / EAST TENNESSEE STATE) +1, T30 GAVIN O’NEILL (IRL / GRAND CANYON) +5, T54 DOMINIC CLEMONS (ENG / ALABAMA) +11, T66 BEN CARBERRY (SCO / EAST TENNESSEE STATE) +18, BENJAMIN OBERHOLZER (IRL / EAST TENNESSEE STATE) DNF, JOSHUA PRITCHETT (ENG / EAST TENNESSEE STATE) DNF

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Florida State (-29), 2nd Ole Miss (-20), 3rd New Mexico (-14), 4th Georgia (-7), 5th Augusta (-3)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Luke Clanton (USA / Florida State) -15

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 4th Jacob Modleski (USA / Notre Dame) -9

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – 7th TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) -6, T23 JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) EV, T27 OLIVER CAGE (ENG / NEW MEXICO) +1
Non-Qualified – 5th CAMERON ADAM (SCO / NORTHWESTERN) -8, T45 NIALL SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO / NORTHWESTERN) +7, MARK GAZI (IRL / NORTHWESTERN) DNF, PATRICK KEELING (IRL / FLORIDA STATE) DNF, ARCHIE FINNIE (SCO / NORTHWESTERN) DNF 

URBANA, ILLINOIS

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: T1 Oklahoma State (-15), T1 Illinois (-15), 3rd UNLV (-6), 4th Troy (-2), 5th Texas Tech (-1)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Hunter Thomson (USA / Michigan) -10

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 1st Hunter Thomson (USA / Michigan) -10

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T5 CALUM SCOTT (SCO / TEXAS TECH) -6, T18 ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) Ev, T27 CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) +2, SEAN KEELING (IRL / TEXAS TECH) SUB
Non-Qualified – T8 CHARLIE FORSTER (ENG / LONG BEACH STATE) -5

ME.

__________________________________________

30th April 2025

Regional Championships

The six 54 hole NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional Championships will be played on 12th-14th May 2025.

81 teams and 45 individuals, from non-qualifying teams, were selected on 30th April 2025 to compete at these competitions.

Local Conference Championships were played across the country in April with 28 Conference team champions granted automatic qualification into the 2025 Regionals. The remaining teams progressed based on their performances throughout the season.

13 teams and 10 individuals were allocated to three of the Regional venues with the remaining sites hosting 14 teams and 5 individuals. As always the draw has been made in such a way that all of the fields are of a similar strength.

Teams of five players play 72 holes of stroke play with their best four scores counting towards their team’s total score. Players, who play in each round, are also eligible for a separate Individual competition.

I will be updating this article with a summary of the results when play is completed.

National Championships

5 teams and the top individual (not on one of those teams) from each Regional event will progress to the National Championship which will be played at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California on 23rd-28th May 2025.

The National Championships start with 54 holes of stroke play. The top 15 teams and 9 individuals, not on an advancing team, then progress to a final 18 holes of stroke play. After these 72 holes have been played an Individual champion is determined and the top 8 teams advance to a match play stage to establish the Team champions.

Auburn are the defending champions after they defeated Florida State 3-2 in the 2024 Championship Final in Carlsbad. Georgia Tech sophomore Hiroshi Tai (SGP) won the Individual title with a 72 hole total score of 285 (-3).

Details of the six Regional Championships are shown below with each team and individual listed in seed order and, if they earned automatic qualification, the Conference Championship they recently won to do so.

GB&I players attached to the qualifying colleges are highlighted in bold blue type. Each team is now allowed to take a Reserve to the event so it is possible some may not play or be subbed in and out during the week.

37 GB&I players are featuring at the Regional Championships with 3 of these starting as substitutes.

AMHERST, VIRGINIA
Course: Poplar Grove Golf Club / Host: Liberty
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

~ Due to forecast thunderstorms Round 1 was played at Amherst on Sun 4th PM.

Teams
1. LSU – MATTY DODD-BERRY (ENG)
2. Oklahoma
3. Vanderbilt
4. Pepperdine – West Coast Conference
5. Tennessee – JOSH HILL (ENG)
6. Arizona
7. Stanford
8. Wake Forest
9. Arkansas – MARK STOCKDALE (ENG)
10. Florida Gulf Coast – TOM SCULLION (ENG)
11. Kent State – Mid-American Conference – DARCY HOGG (IRL) NS
12. Princeton – The Ivy League
13. Howard – Northeast Conference

Individuals
1. Andrew Swanson, Clemson
2. Kaleb Wilson, West Virginia
3. Ike Joy, Liberty
4. Emil Riegger, Maryland
5. Peicheng Chen, St. John’s – New York
6. Sakke Siltala, Texas State
7. Henric Bjelke, Campbell – Coastal Athletic Association
8. Colin Dutton, UNCG – Southern Conference
9. Alex Heard, UConn – Big East Conference
10. Nolan Schuermann, Holy Cross -Patriot League

AUBURN, ALABAMA
Course: Auburn University Club / Host: Auburn
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Auburn
2. Texas A&M
3. UCLA – Big Ten Conference
4. SMU – ENRIQUE DIMAYUGA (SGP)
5. Georgia Tech
6. Oregon – JAY GOULD-HEALY (IRL), HUGH ADAMS (ENG) NS, DANIEL BULLEN (SCO) NS
7. Purdue – JENSON FORRESTER (ENG), SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG)
8. University of Arkansas at Little Rock – Ohio Valley Conference – ARCHIE SMITH (ENG), FREDDIE TURNELL (ENG), ED FEATHERSTONE (ENG), ALEXANDER ROWLAND (ENG)
9. TCU – JOE PAGDIN (ENG)
10. Charleston
11. New Mexico State
12. Loyola Maryland Patriot League
13. USC Upstate – Big South Conference

Individuals
1. Louis Anceaux, University of Louisiana Monroe
2. Claes Borregaard, Kennesaw State
3. Xing Luo, North Alabama
4. Thomas Schmidt, Arkansas State
5. Parker Claxton, Georgia Southern
6. Camden Braidech, Chattanooga
7. Yixiang Wang, Memphis
8. JACK MAXEY (ENG), Arkansas State – Sun Belt Conference
9. Jeep Patrick, Presbyterian – Big South Conference
10. Jonathan Xoinis, UT Martin – Ohio Valley Conference

BREMERTON, WASHINGTON
Course: Gold Mountain Golf Club / Host: Washington
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Arizona State
2. Florida – Southeastern Conference – LUKE POULTER (ENG)
3. Utah
4. South Carolina
5. South Florida
6. Colorado
7. Charlotte – American Athletic Conference – SEB CAVE (ENG), FRAZER JONES (ENG), CONNOR GOUGH (ENG) NS
8. Kansas
9. Colorado State
10. Kansas State – HARRY BENT (SCO) NS, FIONN DOBBIN (IRL) NS
11. Elon – Coastal Athletic Association
12. Coastal Carolina – Sun Belt Conference – JACK LEE (ENG), DREW SYKES (ENG)
13. Oral Roberts – The Summit League
14. Seattle U – Western Athletic Conference

Individuals
1. Sam Renner, Washington State
2. Lukas Boandl, Rice
3. Mason Snyder, Loyola Marymount
4. Cade Anderson, Loyola Marymount
5. Daniel Zou, Rice

img_4771

RENO NEVADA
Course: Montreux Golf & Country Club / Host: Nevada and Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Texas
2. Virginia – Atlantic Coast Conference
3. Alabama – DOMINIC CLEMONS (ENG)
4. Duke
5. Mississippi State
6. Brigham Young
7. San Diego
8. Santa Clara
9. California
10. Grand Canyon – GAVIN O’NEILL (IRL), JOSH MCCABE (IRL) NS, SAM MURPHY (IRL) NS
11. Sam Houston – Conference USA
12. East Tennessee State – Southern Conference – GAVIN TIERNAN (IRL), JOSHUA PRITCHETT (ENG), BEN CARBERRY (SCO), BENJAMIN OBERHOLZER (IRL) SUB
13. Central Arkansas – ASUN Conference – SAM NORMAN (ENG) NS
14. Fairfield – Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Individuals
1. Dane Huddleston, Utah Valley [Western Athletic Conference]
2. Baron Szeto, Cal Poly
3. Max Schliesing, UTEP
4. Tegan Andrews, Cal State Fullerton
5. Dylan Teeter, UTEP

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
Course: Seminole Legacy Golf Club / Host: Florida State
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Ole Miss
2. Florida State – TYLER WEAVER (ENG), JACK BIGHAM (ENG)
3. San Diego State – Mountain West Conference
4. Georgia
5. Louisville – PATRICK KEELING (IRL)
6. Northwestern – CAMERON ADAM (SCO), NIALL SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO), MARK GAZI (IRL), ARCHIE FINNIE (SCO) SUB 
7. Notre Dame
8. New Mexico – OLIVER CAGE (ENG)
9. Southern California
10. Michigan State
11. Furman
12. Augusta – Southland Conference
13. Davidson – Atlantic 10 Conference
14. Florida A&M – Southwestern Athletic Conference

Individuals
1. Malan Potgieter, Louisiana
2. NaShawn Tyson, Florida Atlantic
3. Hugo Thyr, South Alabama
4. Niilo Maki-Petaja, Louisiana Tech
5. Gaspar Glaudas, Stetson – ASUN Conference

URBANA, ILLINOIS
Course: Atkins Golf Club / Host: Illinois
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Oklahoma State – Big 12 Conference
2. North Carolina
3. Illinois
4. Texas Tech – CALUM SCOTT (SCO), CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO), SEAN KEELING (IRL) SUB
5. Long Beach State – Big West Conference – CHARLIE FORSTER (ENG)
6. UNLV – ZACH LITTLE (ENG)
7. Houston – RUBEN LINDSAY (SCO) NS
8. Marquette – Big East Conference
9. Troy
10. Pacific
11. NC State
12. Illinois State – Missouri Valley Conference
13. Wright State – Horizon League

Individuals
1. Hunter Thomson, Michigan
2. Jack Schoenberger, Kentucky
3. Paul Beauvy, Iowa State
4. Patton Samuels, Austin Peay
5. Anthony Delisanti, Valparaiso
6. Clay Merchent, Indiana
7. Ryan Ford, Cincinnati
8. Ben Cors, Dayton – Atlantic 10 Conference
9. Titus Boswell, IU Indy – Horizon League
10. Trey Wall, Murray State – Missouri Valley Conference

SUB – Substitute / NS – Not Selected

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Lytham Trophy – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

Sunday 4th May 2025

Hugo LE GOFF, the highest ranked WAGR player in the field at #93, won the 59th Lytham Trophy becoming the first Frenchman to achieve this honour.

Le Goff also won this year’s Spanish International Amateur Championship at the start of March. He will be moving to the USA in the summer having earned a golf scholarship at the University of Virginia.

Disappointingly the event only generated a WAGR Power Rating of 409.3219, the lowest ever recorded for the Lytham Trophy.

Hugo Le Goff (Royal Lytham G.C.)

Round 4

France’s Hugo LE GOFF produced a superb final round 66, which included six birdies, to come through the field and win the 2025 Lytham Trophy.

Hugo Le Goff’s Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

Le Goff’s 285 (+5) total was one better than 2nd placed Tom OSBORNE (ENG) who matched the winner’s 33 on the back nine to deliver a well timed 69 of his own.

Max HOPKINS (ENG) finished 3rd, recent Battle Trophy winner Andrew DAVIDSON (SCO) 4th, Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) 5th and Matt ROBERTS (WAL) 6th after they all finished on 288 (+8) and their places had to determined on last 18 and 9 hole count backs.

Gregor TAIT (SCO) +11 8th, Oliver CATON (ENG) +11 9th, Jamie VAN WYK (ENG) +12 11th, Eliot BAKER (ENG) +12 12th and David KITT (IRL) +14 14th were the other GB&I players to finish in the top 15 at Royal Lytham.

The other 54 hole co-leader Michele FERRERO (ITA) will be disappointed with his final round 78 which saw him having to settle for 10th place. 

The average Round 4 score was 75.91 (Rd 3: 75.12). Le Goff and Osborne delivered the only under par rounds whilst two other players, Luke O’NEILL (IRL) and Henry FEATHERSTONE (ENG), shot even par 70s on the final circuit.

Final Results – Leaders (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

Click here to view the – 2025 Lytham Trophy Results

Round 3

After rounds of 74 and 76 respectively Matt ROBERTS (WAL) and Michele FERRERO (ITA) fell back to +3, sharing the 54 hole lead at the Lytham Trophy.

Eliot BAKER (ENG) and Oliver CATON (ENG) on +5 and Andrew DAVIDSON (SCO), Max HOPKINS (ENG) and Luke KELLY +6 are all within striking distance.

The average Round 3 score by the reduced field of 43 players was 75.12. As in Round 2 there were no under par scores. Just two competitors managing to deliver an even par 70 on Sunday morning.

Round 3 Leaders (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

ME.

________________________________________

Saturday 3rd May 2025

Round 2

Despite starting his second round with a double bogey five and also finishing with a bogey on 18 Michele FERRERO (ITA) managed to negotiate Royal Lytham in a very creditable even par 70 to take a 2 shot lead into the final day.

Michele Ferrero’s Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) and Oliver CATON (ENG) are the Italian’s nearest challengers on 139 (-1). Roberts shot a 72 and Caton a 71 to stay in touch with the leader. They were both 3-over after just four holes of their second rounds so fought back well to stay in contention.

On a tough scoring day only these three players remained under par for the tournament after 36 holes. 

Gregor TAIT (SCO) +1, Luke KELLY (ENG) +2 and Max HOPKINS (ENG), Daniel HAYES (ENG), Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Jackson GARNETT (ENG) +3 will all know that a good final day could still take them to the title.

44 players made the cut which fell at 148 (+8) albeit one of these, Judd SUNDELSON (RSA), withdrew from the competition after his second round.

The average Round 2 score was 77.26 which was over 2 shots worse than that seen in Round 1 (75.03). No under par scores were achieved on the day with just three players producing an even par 70.

Round 2 Leaders (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

ME.

________________________________________

Friday 2nd May 2025

Round 1

Jackson GARNETT (ENG) leads the 59th Lytham Trophy after an opening 66 (-4). Jackson’s round contained five birdies including one on the 1st and one on the last.

Jackson Garnett’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

Matt ROBERTS (WAL), who finished 4th last year, sits alongside Italian Michele FERRERO in tied 2nd after they both recorded 67’s. Roberts recorded one of 11 eagles in Round 1 ; his coming on the short par 4 13th.

Daniel HAYES (ENG), who enjoyed a top 10 finish in 2024, Oliver CATON (ENG) and Gregor TAIT (SCO) are one shot further back in tied 4th place.

16 players out of the 144 starters finished on even par or better. The average Round 1 score was 75.03. 

There were two holes-in-one on Day 1; David KITT (IRL) on the 163 yard 9th and Charlie ROBB (ENG) on the 196 yard 12th. 

 

Round 1 Leaders (Graphic: Golf Genius / Royal Lytham G.C.)

ME.

________________________________________

30th April 2025

The 2025 Lytham Trophy will be played between 2nd and 4th May at Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club in Lancashire, England.

Traditionally viewed as the first major event in the Great Britain and Ireland (GB&I) men’s amateur golf season it is always a privilege for the players to compete on this superb links course.

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Royal Lytham & St. Annes G.C. (Photo: Golf Bible)

Format and Tee Times

144 scratch golfers from across Europe will tee off in what will be the 59th playing of this prestigious competition.

The Lytham Trophy is a 72-hole stroke play event. 18 holes are played on the first two days before a top 40 and ties cut is made. 36-holes are then played on the final day by the leading competitors.

In the event of a tie for the lowest score there will be a 3-hole stroke play play-off on holes 1, 2 and 18. If a winner still hasn’t been determined then the play-off moves to sudden death over the same holes.

Click here to view the – 2025 Lytham Trophy Tee Times (use filter for each round)

Players

Most of GB&I’s leading home-based amateurs are competing. However, due to the popularity of U.S. college golf, where the playing season ends in late May, many notable names will unfortunately be missing.

In 2024 the WAGR Event Power Number for this event was 579.9235. It was 661.0000 in 2022 and 566.2711 in 2023.

Nine players in the field are ranked in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) Top 250 with 19 in the Top 500.

Here are the 15 highest ranked competitors based on the current WAGR rankings (30/04/25 release): –

Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) #93
Pablo ALPERI LOPEZ (ESP) #126
Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) #168
Tomi BOWEN (WAL) #180
Harley SMITH (ENG) #192
Michele FERRERO (ITA) #215
Magnus BECKER FREDERIKSEN (DEN) #224
Oscar COUILLEAU (FRA) #228
Simon HOVDAL (SWE) #236
Tom OSBORNE (ENG) #291
Eliot BAKER (ENG) #300
Daniel HAYES (ENG) #303
Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) #349
Jarno TOLLENAIRE (BEL) #380
Matt ROBERTS (WAL) #400

Lytham Trophies

The Lytham Trophy and the Winner’s Replica (Photo: Royal Lytham & St. Annes G.C.)

Course

The Royal Lytham course presents a stern test. Playing off the blue championship tees competitors have to meet a 7,091 yard par 70 challenge; the front nine being 3,427 yards, a par 34, and the back nine being 3,664 yards, a par 36.

Players will tee off between 7.10am and 3.30pm on the Friday and Saturday so changes in the weather and wind speeds throughout the first two days can play a big part in scoring.

Weather Forecast (as at Wednesday 30th April)

The weather forecast for this year’s event looks excellent.

Friday 2nd May – Sunny / Wind 15 mph NW / Temp. Min. 6°C, Max. 15°C.
Saturday 3rd May – Sunny / Wind 14 mph N / Temp. Min. 6°C, Max. 17°C.
Sunday 4th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 15 mph NE / Temp. Min. 4°C, Max. 14°C.

The 2024 Lytham Trophy

Will HOPKINS (ENG) won the 58th Lytham Trophy after a three hole play-off with Tomi BOWEN (WAL) and James ASHFIELD (WAL). All three players finished the regulation 72 holes on 279 (-1).

Matt ROBERTS (Ev) made it three Welshmen in the top 4 with a strong performance on the final day. Ukraine’s Lev GRINBERG finished tied 5th alongside South Africa’s Daniel BENNETT and Lytham member Jamie VAN WYK (all on +1). England Internationals Daniel HAYES (+2) and Ben BOLTON (+3) finished in the top 10.

Click here to view the – 2024 Lytham Trophy Final Results

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Will Hopkins (Photo: Royal Lytham G.C.)

History, Past Winners and Records

The competition was first played in 1965 after the Club identified a need for a new top class amateur competition and one that could be played in the North of England.

A date on the first weekend in May was established and a 72 hole stroke play format adopted.

Member’s subscribed to purchase the unique sputnik trophy. This remains at Royal Lytham with a smaller replica handed out annually to the winner.

The event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

As one would expect the list of past winner’s is a who’s who of GB&I amateur golf.

Of the older winners the most notable are: –

Michael BONALLACK – 1965 (s), 1972
Rodney FOSTER – 1967, 1968
Geoffrey MARKS – 1970 (s)
Charles GREEN – 1970 (s), 1974
Michael KING – 1973
George MACGREGOR – 1975
Peter MCEVOY – 1978
Ian HUTCHEON – 1980
Roger CHAPMAN – 1981
John HAWKSWORTH – 1984
Paul BROADHURST – 1988
Gary EVANS – 1990, 1991
Stephen GALLACHER – 1995
Graham RANKIN – 1997
Stuart WILSON – 2003
(s) = shared

In 2004 21 year old James HEATH won with a record score of 266 (-18), recording rounds of 67, 68, 66, and 65. Garth McGimpsey, the then Walker Cup captain, described Heath’s performance as ‘the best amateur golf I’ve ever seen’.

No one else has ever come close to this low scoring mark. The next best scores being Matthew JORDAN‘s 272 (-12) in 2018 and Daan HUIZING’s 273 (-11) in 2013.

In 1999 the Lytham Trophy was won by German Tino SCHUSTER, the first time a non-GB&I player had been successful.

After a spell of overseas winners the last seven tournament winners have all come from England: –

Albert ECKHARDT – 2013 (Finland)
Thriston LAWRENCE – 2014 (South African
Marcus KINHULT – 2015 (Sweden)
Alfie PLANT – 2016 (England)
Jack SINGH BRAR – 2017 (England)
Matthew JORDAN – 2018 (England)
Josh MCMAHON – 2019 (England)
John GOUGH – 2022 (England)
Frank KENNEDY – 2023 (England)
Will HOPKINS – 2024 (England)

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Lytham Trophy Honours Board (Photo: GolfBible)

Click here to view the complete list of – Lytham Trophy Past Winners

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

NCAA Division I Women’s Regionals – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

7th May 2025

Here is a summary of the results from the six 54-hole NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Regional Championships which were played on 4th-7th May 2025.

The low five teams (30 in total) and the low individual (6 in total) not on one of those teams from each Regional advanced to the National Championships.

For more information on these Regional Championships please read the Preview article lower down this page.

The 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championship will be played at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California on 16th-21st May 2025.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st South Carolina -2, 2nd Ole Miss +9, T3 Virginia +12, T3 Florida +12, 5th UCLA +17 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST:  1st Marie Madsen (USA / NC State) -5

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 1st Marie Madsen (USA / NC State) -5

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T4 HANNAH DARLING (SCO / SOUTH CAROLINA) Ev
Non-Qualified – 50th CAITLIN WHITEHEAD (ENG / NC STATE) +18, T64 KATIE POOTS (IRL / UCF) DNF

COLUMBUS, OHIO

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Kansas -6, 2nd Arkansas -3, 3rd Ohio State +1, 4th UNLV +4, 5th LSU +18 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Lyla Louderbaugh (USA / Kansas) -12

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 5th Moa Svedenskiold (SWE / Houston) -2

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T6 NELLIE ONG (ENG / OHIO STATE) -1, T26 ÁINE DONEGAN (IRL / LSU) +6, T35 MARINA JOYCE-MORENO (IRL / OHIO STATE) +10,  LILY HIRST (ENG / KANSAS) SUB

GOLD CANYON, ARIZONA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Oregon -12, 2nd Arizona State -3, 3rd Oklahoma State +2, 4th Mississippi State +11, 5th CSU Fullerton +23 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Kiara Romero (USA / Oregon) -16 

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 6th Anna Davis (USA / Auburn) -1

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – 2nd PATIENCE RHODES (ENG / ARIZONA STATE) -9, T3 ISLA MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG / ARIZONA STATE) -3, 5th DAVINA XANH (ENG / CAL STATE FULLERTON) -2, T20 BETH COULTER (IRL / ARIZONA STATE) +5
Non-Qualified – T32 ANNA MOLLOY (ENG / CALIFORNIA) +10, T28 CARYS WORBY (WAL / AUBURN) +8, 62nd RACHEL GOURLAY (ENG / AUBURN) +27  

LEXINGTON, KENTUCK

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Florida State -15, T2 Georgia Southern -10, T2 Kansas State -10, 4th Southern California -7, 5th Vanderbilt +2 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Carla Bernat Escuderos (ESP / Kansas State) -12

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER:  4th Sofia Barroso Sá (POR / TCU) -6

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T2 LOTTIE WOAD (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) -10, T38 SOPHIA FULLBROOOK (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) +7
Non-Qualified – T21 CARMEN GRIFFITHS (SCO / LOUISVILLE) +1, T46 REBEKAH GARDNER (IRL / MIAMI) +10

LUBBOCK, TEXAS

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

~ Due to forecast thunderstorms on Mon 5th Round 1 was played at Lubbock on Sun 4th and play was completed on Tue 6th.

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Wake Forest -2, 2nd Texas +2, 3rd Iowa State +10, 4th Tennessee +22, 5th Purdue +25 (after a one hole play-off with Texas A&M) 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Carolina Lopez-Chacarra Coto (ESP / Wake Forest) -7

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 4th Lousiane Gauthier (URY / Florida Gulf Coast) -2

GB&I PLAYERS:
Non-Qualified – 57th JADE POTTER (SCO / CAMPBELL) +19 

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

~ Due to forecast thunderstorms on Tues 6th & Wed 7th 36 holes were played at Norman on Mon 5th.

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Stanford -13, 2nd Northwestern -14, 3rd Michigan State -1, 4th Oklahoma Ev, 5th Baylor +3 

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Andrea Revuelta (USA / Stanford) -8

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 7th Audrey Ryu (USA / Furman) -3

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – T41 GRACIE MAYO (WAL / OKLAHOMA) +8
Non-Qualified – T55 FFION TYNAN (WAL / MISSOUIRI) +14

SUB – Substitute

ME.

________________________________________

23rd April 2025

Regional Championships

The six 54 hole NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Regional Championships will be played on 5th-7th May 2025.

72 teams and 36 individuals, from non-qualifying teams, were selected on 23rd April 2025 to compete at these competitions.

Local Conference Championships were played across the country in April with 28 Conference team champions granted automatic qualification into the 2025 Regionals. The remaining teams progressed based on their performances throughout the season.

12 teams and 6 individuals were allocated to each of the six Regional venues with a strength-of-field metric factored in to ensure balance and fairness across all of them.

Teams of five players play 72 holes of stroke play with their best four scores counting towards their team’s total score. Players, who play in each round, are also eligible for a separate Individual competition.

The leading 5 teams and the top individual (not on one of those teams) from each Regional event will progress to the National Championship which will be played at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California on 16th-21st May 2025.

Regional Champion Awards have been given to the team champions at each site since 2024.

I will be updating this article with a summary of the results when play is completed.

National Championships

The Division I Competition Oversight Committee announced in January 2023 that the field for the Division I Women’s Golf National Championships would be increased from 147 to 156. The number of teams was also increased from 27 to 30 with the number of individual participants falling from 12 to 6.

The National Championships start off with 54 holes of stroke play. The top 15 teams and 9 individuals, not on an advancing team, then progress to a final 18 holes of stroke play. After these 72 holes have been played an Individual champion is determined and the top 8 teams advance to a match play stage to establish the Team champions.

Stanford beat UCLA in the Final of the 2024 NCAA Div. I Women’s National Championship in Carlsbad with Adela Cernousek (FRA / Texas A&M) winning the Individual title, her first collegiate win.

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The six Regional Championships are shown below with each team listed in seed order.

GB&I players attached to the qualifying colleges are highlighted in bold blue type. Each team is now allowed to take a Reserve to the event so it is possible some may not play or be subbed in and out during the week. 21 GB&I players will be participating in this year’s Regional Championships.

Schools and Individuals with a Conference affiliation also noted below were the Team or Individual winners of these earlier tournaments.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
Course: Birdwood G.C. / Host: University of Virginia
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. South Carolina – Southestern Conference – HANNAH DARLING (SCO)
2. Virginia
3. Ole Miss
4. Florida
5. UCLA
6. UCF – KATIE POOTS (IRL)
7. College of Charleston – Coastal Athletic Association
8. North Carolina State – CAITLIN WHITEHEAD (ENG), ELLISE RYMER (ENG) NS
9. BYU
10. Princeton – The Ivy League
11. Richmond – Atlantic 10 Conference
12. Radford – Big South Conference

Individuals
Pinky Chaisilprungruang, Charlotte
Nicha Kanpai, Maryland
Isabella Rawl, Clemson
Melena Barrientos, Clemson
Hannah Altman, UNC Wilmington – Coastal Athletic Association
Paris Fieldings, Howard – Northeast Conference

COLUMBUS, OHIO
Course: OSU Golf Club / Host: Ohio State University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Arkansas
2. LSU – ÁINE DONEGAN (IRL)
3. Ohio State – MARINA JOYCE-MORENO (IRL), NELLIE ONG (ENG)
4. Kansas – LILY HIRST (ENG) SUB
5. Houston – ELLEN YATES (ENG) NS
6. SMU
7. UNLV – Mountain West Conference
8. Illinois
9. Kent State – Mid-American Conference
10. Illinois State – Missouri Valley Conference
11. Xavier – Big East Conference
12. Oakland – Horizon League

Individuals
Isabella McCauley, Minnesota
Vanessa Zhang, Harvard – The Ivy League
Savannah de Bock, Eastern Michigan
Mara Janess, Michigan
Neeranuch Prajunpanich, Youngstown State – Horizon League
Jillian Cosler, Bradley – Missouri Valley Conference

GOLD CANYON, ARIZONA
Course: Superstition Mountain G.&C.C. / Host: Arizona State University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Oregon – Big Ten Conference
2. Arizona State – BETH COULTER (IRL), PATIENCE RHODES (ENG), ISLA MCDONALD-O’BRIEN (ENG)
3. Auburn – CARYS WORBY (WAL), RACHEL GOURLAY (ENG)
4. Mississippi State
5. Oklahoma State
6. California – ANNA MOLLOY (ENG), OLIVIA LEE (ENG) NS
7. Virginia Tech
8. San Jose State
9. Sacramento State – Big Sky Conference
10. Cal State Fullerton – Big West Conference – DAVINA XANH (ENG)
11. Navy – Patriot League
12. Quinnipiac – Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Individuals
Vivian Lu, Washington
Jasmine Leovao, Long Beach State
Janae Leovao, Long Beach State
Jensen Jalufka, Cal Poly
Daniela Campillo, ULM
Maddie Montoya, Montana State – Big Sky Conference

img_4771

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Course: Keene Trace G.C. / Host: Kentucky University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Florida State – Atlantic Coast Conference – LOTTIE WOAD (ENG), SOPHIA FULLBROOOK (ENG)
2. Southern California (USC)
3. TCU
4. Vanderbilt
5. Kansas State
6. Georgian Southern
7. Pepperdine
8. Louisville – CARMEN GRIFFITHS (SCO)
9. Miami – REBEKAH GARDNER (IRL)
10. Western Kentucky – Conference USA
11. Morehead State – Ohio Valley Conference
12. Fairleigh Dickinson – Northeast Conference

Individuals
Emma Bunch, New Mexico State
Gabi NiCastro, Samford
Marta López Echevarría, Kentucky
Madison Dabagia, Indiana
Caroline Smith, Indiana
Jasmine Driscoll, Ball State – Mid-American Conference

LUBBOCK, TEXAS
Course: The Rawls Course / Host: Texas Tech University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Texas
2. Wake Forest
3. Arizona – Big 12 Conference
4. Texas A&M
5. Iowa State
6. Tennessee
7. Purdue
8. Campbell – JADE POTTER (SCO)
9. UC Davis
10. Florida Gulf Coast – Atlantic Sun Conference
11. Tarleton State – Western Athletic Conference
12. Texas A&M Corpus Christi – Southland Conference

Individuals
Ryann Honea, Abilene Christian
Chantel El Chaib, Georgia
Klara Hurtova, Texas Tech
Kara Kaneshiro, Colorado State
Yvonne Chamness, Texas State
Julia McLaughlin, High Point – Big South Conference

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA
Course: Jimmie Austin Oklahoma University G.C. / Host: Oklahoma University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Stanford
2. Northwestern
3. North Carolina
4. Michigan State
5. Duke
6. Oklahoma – GRACIE MAYO (WAL)
7. Baylor
8. Oregon State – West Coast Conference
9. Tulsa – American Conference
10. Denver – The Summit League
11. Furman – Southern Conference
12. Southern Mississippi – Sun Belt Conference

Individuals
Riana Mission, San Francisco
Grace Jin, Sam Houston
Cynthia Zhang, Kansas
FFION TYNAN (WAL), Missouri
Amelia Guo, Sam Houston
Zoe Pinillos, Augusta – Southland Confereence

NS – Not Selected / SUB – Substitute

ME. 

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Masters – 2025 Amateur Preview & Results

Posted on by

13th April 2025

Results

Rory McILROY (NIR) became the sixth player to win the career grand slam when he overcame Justin ROSE (ENG) with a birdie on the first play-off hole (the 18th). Both players finished the 72 hole Augusta National G.C. test on 277 (-11), 2-shots ahead of Patrick REED (USA) and 3 ahead of defending champion Scottie SCHEFFLER (USA). 

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No amateur made the cut so no Silver Cup was awarded at The 89th Masters.

53 players made the 36 hole top 50 and ties cut which fell at 146 (+2). 

The average field score in Round 1 was 73.59 which fell to 72.67 in Round 2.

Round 2 Amateur Leaderboard (Graphic: The Masters)

Justin HASTINGS (CAY) produced the lowest round by an amateur shooting an even par 72 on Day 2.

Justin Hastings Scorecard – 148 +4 Tied 59th (Graphic: The Masters) 

Hiroshi TAI (SGP) led the five amateurs after the opening round on +1 but was unable to follow it up on Friday.

Hiroshi Tai Scorecard – 150 +6 Tied 73rd (Graphic: The Masters)

Mid-Amateur Evan BECK (USA) enjoyed five birdies over his 36 holes but these were mixed up with far too many dropped shots.

Evan Beck Scorecard – 153 +9 Tied 87th (Graphic: The Masters

The favourite for the Silver Cup Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP) got off to a poor start on Thursday and fell away badly on the back nine in Round 2.

Jose Luis Ballester Scorecard – 154 +10 Tied 90th (Graphic: The Masters)

Noah BECK (USA) shot the worst amateur total score but enjoyed a rollercoaster ride whilst doing it. Four birdies and an eagle on the 13th in Round 2 were his highlights.

Noah Beck Scorecard – 155 +11 Tied 93rd (Graphic: The Masters)

ME.

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8th April 2025

The 89th Masters will take place at Augusta National G.C. this week between Thursday 10th and Sunday 13th April.

A field of 95 players will be competing, six more than last year.

Five amateurs will be playing, the same number as last year.

The primary goal for each amateur is to make the 36 hole cut and if they achieve that to then go on and win the low amateur Silver Cup.

I will be updating this article with amateur scoring information and reports as the tournament unfolds.

Click here to view the – 2025 Masters Final Results

The 2025 Masters Journal

2025 Amateur Player Biographies

The legacy of Bobby Jones, the co-founder of the tournament and a lifelong amateur (at least during his competitive years), means The Masters has always found a place for the world’s leading amateurs.

This year’s intake will see the total number of amateurs to have played in The Masters rise to 464.

The five amateurs competing at The Masters in 2025 are: –

JOSE LUIS BALLESTER BARRIO (ESP), 21 – winner of the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship
The Arizona State senior Ballester beat Noah Kent in last year’s U.S. Amateur final by 2 Holes to secure his place at Augusta.
WAGR #6 (09/04/25) 
Top Amateur Odds – 15/8 FAV

EVAN BECK (USA), 34 – winner of the 2024 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship
Beck beat Bobby Massa 9&8 in the final of the U.S. Mid-Amateur. After regaining his amateur status he returned to amateur competition in 2021. He is in pole position for the mid-amateur spot on the 2025 U.S. Walker Cup team. Beck now works as an investment analyst at Browns Advisory in Washington D.C.  
WAGR #21 (09/04/25)
Top Amateur Odds – 5/2

JUSTIN HASTINGS (CAY), 21 – winner of the 2025 Latin America Amateur Championship
Hastings won the Latin America Amateur at Pilar G.C. in Argentina. He is a senior at San Diego State University.
WAGR #25 (09/04/24)
Top Amateur Odds – 5/2

NOAH KENT (USA), 20 – runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship
Floridian Kent now plays his golf at the University of Florida having transferred from Iowa last summer.
WAGR #140 (09/04/25) 
Top Amateur Odds – 15/2

HIROSHI TAI (SGP), 23 – winner of the 2024 NCAA Division I Individual Championship 
Tai was born in Hong Kong but represents Singapore; he is their first golfer to compete in The Masters. He was playing for Georgia Tech when he won the NCAA Championship.
WAGR #50 (09/04/24)
Top Amateur Odds – 8/1

U.S. and Amateur champions also receive non-playing honorary invitations which mean they are invited to attend The Masters every year for the rest of their lives.

Jacob Skov Olesen (DEN), 25, the 2024 Amateur champion, and Wenyi Ding (CHI), 20, the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur champion, both turned pro since their wins, having won cards on the DP World Tour, which entailed them giving up their exemptions.

2025 Amateur Tee Times (GMT +5hrs)

Round 1

Group 6 – 8.35am EDT / 1.35pm BST – Bernhard LANGER (GER), Will ZALATORIS (USA) & Noah KENT (USA)

Group 14 – 10.15am EDT / 3.15pm BST – Scottie Scheffler (USA), Justin Thomas (USA) & Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP)

Group 20 – 11.21am EDT / 4.21pm BST – Bubba Watson (USA), Matthieu Pavon (FRA) & Evan BECK (USA)

Group 22 – 11.49am EDT / 4.49pm BST – Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Denny McCarthy (USA) & Hiroshi TAI (SGP)

Group 24 – 12.11pm EDT / 5.11pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA), Nick Taylor (CAN) & Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

Round 2

Group 4 – 8.13am EDT / 1.13pm BST – Bubba Watson (USA), Matthieu Pavon (FRA) & Evan BECK (USA)

Group 6 – 8.35am EDT / 1.35pm BST – Charl Schwartzel (RSA), Denny McCarthy (USA) & Hiroshi TAI (SGP)

Group 8 – 9.03am EDT / 2.03pm BST – Dustin Johnson (USA), Nick Taylor (CAN) & Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

Group 22 – 11.49am EDT / 4.49pm BST – Bernhard LANGER (GER), Will ZALATORIS (USA) & Noah KENT (USA)

Group 30 – 1.23pm EDT / 6.23pm BST – Scottie Scheffler (USA), Justin Thomas (USA) & Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP)

By tradition the reigning U.S. Amateur champion is always paired with the reigning Masters champion. Accordingly Jose Luis Ballester has been paired with Scottie Scheffler this year (with Nick Taylor making up the three ball).

Click here to view all of the – Masters 2025 Tee Times

Amateur Perks

Only amateur competitors are permitted to stay in the Crow’s Nest accommodation in the clubhouse. Most of them normally spend at least one night there during Masters week.  

The Amateur Dinner, hosted by chairman Fred Ridley and normally attended by around between 50-100 guests, was held in The Founders Room on the evening of Monday 7th April. The Captain of The R&A, President of the USGA, a former amateur participant and an amateur contestant from this year normally speak.

Evan Beck, Jose Luis Ballester, Fred Ridley, Noah Kent, Justin Hastings and Hiroshi Tai (Photo: Chris Turvey / Augusta National G.C.)

2024 Masters – Amateur Performances

22 year old NEAL SHIPLEY (USA) won the low amateur Silver Cup at The 88th Masters Invitational at Augusta National G.C.

img_9274-1

Neal Shipley (Photo: The Masters)

His rounds of 71-76-80-71 and total score of 300 +12 saw him finish in tied 53rd place.

NEAL SHIPLEY (USA) – 300 +12 Tied 53rd

img_8113-1

Neal Shipley’s 72 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: The Masters)

The 36-hole cut fell at 150 (+6) with 60 players progressing to the weekend. This was the first year that the cut has fallen at +5 or higher since 2017 highlighting how tough Augusta played on the opening two days.

There was a 2.5 hour weather delay on Day 1 of The Masters following overnight rain. As a result 27 of the 89 players in the field were required to complete their first rounds on Friday morning.

Neal SHIPLEY (USA), on +3, was the only amateur to make the cut with rounds of 71 and 76.

img_8095-1

Round 2 Amateur Leaderboard (Graphic: The Masters)

Click here to view the – 2024 Masters Final Results

The Masters – Amateur Playing Records

For more information on amateur performances at The Masters please take a look at this companion article – The Masters – Amateur Records.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

March 2025 Men’s Amateur Rankings

Posted on by

8th April 2025

Throughout the year I analyse the main golf rankings to help us assess the performances of Great Britain and Ireland’s leading players as well as the status of events they compete in.

This information is maintained on the Rankings page of the GolfBible website and is updated quarterly.

The latest update covering the March 2025 Quarter period has now been added.

I have selected Freddie Turnell (ENG), a freshman at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as my Player of the Quarter after he enjoyed a very consistent opening to the 2025 year, capped off by an excellent win at The Goodwin U.S. collegiate event in California.

Freddie Turnell (Photo: Turnell Family) 

Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG), Charlie FORSTER (ENG), Luke POULTER (ENG), Tyler WEAVER (ENG), who all enjoyed U.S. College wins in 2025, and Eliot BAKER (ENG), who recently won the Portuguese International Amateur, all deserve honourable mentions.

Pease click this link to be redirected to my Rankings page – GolfBible Rankings

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The Georgia Cup – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

6th April 2025

José Luis BALLESTER (ESP) beat Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN) by 1 Hole in the 2025 Georgia Cup match.

The Amateur champions now lead the U.S. Amateur champions 15-12 in the series.

ME.

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The 28th Georgia Cup Match will commence at 9.00am (BST 1.00pm) on Sunday 6th April on the Lakeside Course at The Golf Club of Georgia.

The Georgia Cup is an 18-hole match play event played annually between the reigning United States and (British) Amateur champions.

The two champions traditionally play the match as a precursor to competing in The Masters which both of their respective wins earn them an invitation to.

This year the 2024 Amateur Champion Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN) will play the reigning U.S. Amateur Champion José Luis BALLESTER (ESP).

Whilst Ballester will head to Augusta National G.C. next week to compete in The Masters, Olesen, having turned professional in November 2024 has forfeited his invitation.

Coming into the 2025 match the Amateur champions lead the U.S. Amateur champions 15-11 in the series which was first played in 1998.

Jacob Skov Olesen and José Luis Ballester (Photo: The GC of Georgia)

Players

Left-handed Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN), 25, became the first Danish player to win the Amateur Championship beating Dominic Clemons by 4&3 at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Ireland. He maintained his good form to successfully negotiate the DP World Tour Q-School which left him with little alternative but to turn pro.

José Luis BALLESTER (ESP), 21, became the first Spaniard to win the U.S. Amateur Championship, claiming a 2 Hole victory over Noah Kent at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. Born in Castellon de la Plana he is well acclimatised to U.S. conditions having been a student at Arizona State University for the last four years. He is currently ranked 6th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Venue

The match was established by The Golf Club of Georgia (GCOG).

Located in Alpharetta the GCOG has two Arthur Hills-designed courses, the Lakeside (L) and the Creekside (C). Both have hosted the Georgia Cup match in the past but since 2006 the Lakeside has always taken precedence.

The match is used as a charitable fundraiser with The Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides support to the families of fallen and disabled military personnel, the main benficiary.

img_7335

The Georgia Cup (Photo: The Golf Club of Georgia)

Previous Matches and Results

The Amateur champions now lead the U.S. Amateur champions 15-11 in the series. The Amateur champion has overcome the U.S. Amateur champion in seven of the last ten matches played.

All of the previous results are shown below (with the Amateur titles won shown in brackets): –
1998 (L) – Matt Kuchar (US) def. Craig Watson (British) – 3 & 1
1999 (L) – Sergio Garcia (British) def. Hank Kuehne (US) – 5 & 4
2000 (L) – David Gossett (US) def. Graeme Storm (British) – 3 & 2
2001 (C) – Mikko Ilonen (British) def. Jeff Quinney (US) – 6 & 4
2002 (C) – Michael Hoey (British) def. Bubba Dickerson (US) – 4 & 2
2003 (L) – Ricky Barnes (US) def. Alejandro Larrazabal (British) – 4 & 2
2004 (C) – Gary Wolstenholme (British) def. Nick Flanagan (US) – 4 & 2
2005 (C) – Ryan Moore (US) def. Stuart Wilson (British) – 2 & 1
2006 (L) – Brian McElhinney (British) def. Edoardo Molinari (US) – 3 & 2
2007 (L) – Richie Ramsay (US) def. Julien Guerrier (British) – 2 & 1
2008 (L) – Colt Knost (US) def. Drew Weaver (British) – 2 & 1
2009 (L) – Danny Lee (US) def. Reinier Saxton (British) – 2&1
2010 (L) – Matteo Manassero (British) def. Byeong-hun An (US) – 5&4
2011 (L) – Peter Uihlein (US) def. Jin Jeong (British) – 4&2
2012 (L) – Brydon Macpherson (British) def. Kelly Kraft (US) – 2&1
2013 (L) – Alan Dunbar (British) def. Steven Fox (US) – 1 Hole
2014 (L) – Garrick Porteus (British) def. Matthew Fitzpatrick (US) – 3&2
2015 (L) – Gunn Yang (US) def. Bradley Neil (British) – 3&2
2016 (L) – Romain Langsaque (British) def. Bryson DeChambeau (US) – 4&3
2017 (L) – Scott Gregory (British) def. Curtis Luck (US) – 19th hole
2018 (L) – Harry Ellis (British) def. Doc Redman (US) – 6&5
2019 (L) – Jovan Rebula (British) def. Viktor Hovland (US) – 1 Hole
2020 (L) – Cancelled*
2021 (L) – Tyler Strafaci (US) def. Joe Long (British) – 2 Holes
2022 (L) – James Piot (US) def. Laird Shepherd (British) – 1 Hole
2023 (L) – Aldrich Potgieter (British) def. Sam Bennett (US) – 5&4
2024 (L) – Christo Lamprecht (British) def. Nick Dunlap (US) – 1 Hole
2025 (L) – Jose Luis Ballester (US) def. Jacob Skov Olesen (British) – 1 Hole

*The 2020 match between Andy Ogletree (USA) and James Sugrue (IRL) was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a postponement in the playing of The Masters until November.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

Men’s European Nations Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

29th March 2025

Round 4

Team (best 3 from 4 scores count)

ENGLAND (-8) won the Men’s European Nations Championship at RCG Sotogrande by 14 shots.

The England Team (Photo: England Golf)

SPAIN (+6) finished 2nd, ESTONIA (+7) were 3rd, ITALY (+16) 4th and FRANCE (+17) 5th.

It was a disappointing week in Spain for the other three home nation teams who were all well off the pace. WALES (+39) finished tied 11th, IRELAND (+34) tied 13th and SCOTLAND (+45) 15th.

Team Results (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Team Results

Individual

Estonia’s Kevin JEGERS (-14) completed an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the Individual competition at the European Nations Championships.

Harley SMITH (-6) finished 2nd, Daniel HAYES (-5) 3rd and Pablo LOPEZ (-3) 4th. Only four of the 72 competitors completed the 72 holes with an under par score demonstrating the extent of the test posed by Sotogrande.

Eliot BAKER (+7) tied 13th, Ross LAIRD (+13) tied 29th, Jonathan BALE (+15) tied 34th and Matt MCCLEAN (+16) tied 39th were the other GB&I players to finish the event in the top 40.

The average score in Round 4 was 75.82 (+3.82).

Individual Results (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Individual Results

ME.

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28th March 2025

Round 3

Team (best 3 from 4 scores count)

A superb -11 team score in Round 3 lifted ENGLAND (-8) into a commanding 1st place in the Men’s European Nations Championship at RCG Sotogrande.

SPAIN (+3) are now 2nd, ITALY (+7) 3rd, ESTONIA (+8) 4th and FINLAND (+11) 5th heading into tomorrow’s final round.

The other home nations are finding the going tough in Spain with IRELAND (+34) tied 14th, WALES (+36) 16th and SCOTLAND (+37) 17th.

Round 3 Team Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Team Round 3 Scores

Individual

Estonia’s Kevin JEGERS (-9) continues to lead the way in the Individual standings with Spain’s Pablo LOPEZ (-7) two shots behind him in 2nd place.

The English trio of Daniel HAYES (-5) 3rd, Harley SMITH (-2) 5th, after a tournament best bogey free 7-under 65 today, and Eliot BAKER (+3) tied 9th are all in the top 10.

Jack MCDONALD (+7) tied 19th, Tomi BOWEN (+8) tied 22nd and Luke O’NEILL (+11) tied 32nd lead the way for the other home nation teams.

The average score in Round 3 was 76.05 (+4.05) which demonstrates how good Smith’s 65 was.

Round 3 Individual Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Individual Round 3 Scores

ME.

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27th March 2025

Round 2

Team (best 3 from 4 scores count)

FINLAND (-3) lead SPAIN (-1) and ESTONIA (Ev) after Round 2 of the Men’s European Nations Championship at RCG Sotogrande.

ENGLAND (+3) are 4th, IRELAND (+19) tied 11th, SCOTLAND (+25) 15th and WALES (+29) 17th.

Round 2 Team Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Team Round 2 Scores

Individual

Estonia’s Kevin JEGERS (-7) continues to lead the way in the Individual standings with Finland’s Ville VIRKKALA three shots behind him in 2nd place.

From a home nation perspective Daniel HAYES (-2) is tied 3rd, Eliot BAKER (+4) tied 18th, Harley SMITH, Tomi BOWEN & Luke O’NEILL (+5) all tied 24th and Jack MCDONALD (+6) tied 34th.

The average score in Round 2 was 75.37 (+3.37).

Round 2 Individual Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Individual Round 2 Scores

ME.

___________________________________________

26th March 2025

Round 1

Team (best 3 from 4 scores count)

ESTONIA (-2) lead the Men’s European Nations Championship at RCG Sotogrande in Spain.

AUSTRIA (-1) are 2nd and ITALY and ENGLAND (Ev) are tied 3rd.

The other home nations had a disappointing opening round with defending champions IRELAND (+9) tied 12th, SCOTLAND (+13) tied 14th and WALES (+20) tied 17th.

Round 1 Team Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Team Round 1 Scores

Individual

Estonia’s Kevin JEGERS and Austria’s Jacob LOTSCHAK shot 3-under 69’s to take the early lead in the Individual standings.

English pair Eliot BAKER and Daniel HAYES (-1), tied 5th, were the best of the GB&I players.

Ireland’s John DOYLE (+2) tied 24th, Wales’ Tomi BOWEN (+3) tied 35th and Scotland’s Ross LAIRD & Gregor TAIT (+4) tied 43rd led the way for the other countries.

The average score in Round 1 was 75.04 (+3.04).

Round 1 Individual Scores (Graphic: RFE Golf / GolfDirecto)

Click here to view the – 2025 ENC Men’s Individual Round 1 Scores

ME.

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25th March 2025

The Men’s European Nations Championship (ENC) starts on Wednesday 26th March at Real Club de Golf Sotogrande in Andalucía, Spain.

R.C.G. Sotogrande is the permanent home of the ENC and this will be the 17th playing of the event.

It is a 72 hole stroke play Team and Individual competition.

I will be providing daily reports on this page once the Championship commences.

Field
18 four-man teams (72 players) will play for the Team prize.

Teams representing Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Wales will be joined by one from RCG Sotogrande.

There is also an Individual prize on offer to the field.

The following players have been selected to represent the four competing home nations in 2025: –

England – Eliot BAKER, Daniel HAYES, Tom OSBORNE, Harley SMITH

Ireland – Brian DORAN, John DOYLE, Matt MCCLEAN, Luke O’NEILL

Scotland – Alexander FARMER, Ross LAIRD, Jack MCDONALD, Gregor TAIT

Wales – Tomi BOWEN, Jonathan BALE, Caolan BURFORD, Archie DAVIES

A Women’s ENC, made up of 10 three player teams, also takes place alongside the Men’s competition. No home nations are competing this year.

Format and Prizes
72 holes of stroke play, with 18 holes played daily, will be contested by all of the players. There is no cut.

In the Team event the best three 18-hole scores from the four players count towards the overall total.

In the case of a tie for 1st place it will be resolved by the best player score being discarded and if the tie persists, the second best score discarded and so on. If scores are still tied a team member will be nominated and a sudden death play-off will be contested. Other tries will not be resolved.

The Individual prize is awarded to the lowest scoring player. Ties for 1st place will be broken via a sudden death play-off. Any remaining ties will be broken by the best results of the last 18, 27, 36, etc., holes.

Winning Team members each receive a replica of the Nations Trophy. The Individual champion receives a trophy and a bright yellow jacket.

Venue and Course
Real Club de Golf Sotogrande was opened in 1964 and was originally designed by Robert Trent Jones. One of the best courses in Continental Europe it first held the Spanish Open in 1966, won that year by Roberto de Vicenzo.

In 1970 The Sherry Cup, the precursor of the European Nations Cup / Championship, was established. Former Individual winners of this include Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia. (see below for the full list of past Individual winners).

In 1973 a Women’s event started to be played alongside the Men’s.

In 1983 Sotogrande hosted the Spanish Amateur Championship with Jose Maria Olazabel victorious.

Sotogrande was awarded royal patronage by HM King Juan Carlos I in 1994.

Between 1996 and 2001, in tandem with nearby San Roque GC, the course hosted the European Tour’s Qualifying School.

In 2006 The Sherry Cup was rebranded as the European Nations Cup and in 2017 become known as the European Nations Championship played for the Sotogrande Cup.

In 2011, ahead of it’s 50th anniversary, the Club decided to embark upon a major course renovation appointing Roger Rulewich and David Fleury. With the work on greens, bunkering and drainage taking place in 2015 and early 2016 the ENC moved temporarily to the nearby La Reserva Club de Golf for two years. Since 2017 the competition has been played on the renovated course.

The Black Tee Championship Course at Sotogrande plays 6,492m with a par of 72. The front nine measures 3,163m and the back 3,329m.

Weather Forecast
The forecast looks good with unusually low winds currently expected. Wind, often stronger in the afternoon, can cause problems given the numerous water hazards on the course.

Wednesday 26th – Mist AM / Sunny PM.  Min. 10°C / Max. 18°C; Wind W 5mph
Thursday 27th – Sunny. Min. 10°C / Max. 19 °C; Wind NW 6mph
Friday 28th – Sunny. Temp. Min. 11°C / Max. 20°C; Wind N 7mph
Saturday 29th – Sunny. Temp. Min. 12°C / Max. 20°C; Wind N 8mph

Past ENC Winners

The home nations have an excellent record, particularly in recent years, in this event.

Team Competition

2024  Ireland     2024 ENC Team Results

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Ireland Team (Photo: Golf Ireland) 

2023  England     2023 ENC Team Results
2022  Spain     2022 ENC Team Results
2021  Cancelled
2020  Cancelled
2019  England     2019 ENC Team Results
2018  England     2018 ENC Team Results
2017  Wales    2017 ENC Team Results
2016  Ireland    2016 ENC Team Results
2015  England
2014  Scotland
2013  England
2012  France
2011  England
2010  England
2009  England
2008  Scotland
2007  Denmark

Past Sherry Cup Team Winners (started 1998)

2006  Spain
2005  Spain
2004  England
2003  England
2002  Wales
2001  England
2000  England
1999  Germany
1998  Spain

Individual Competition

2024 James Ashfield (WAL)     2024 ENC Men’s Individual Results

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James Ashfield (Photo: Golf Wales)

2023 Albert Hansson (SWE)     2023 ENC Men’s Individual Results
2022 Jaime Montojo (ESP)     2022 ENC Men’s Individual Result
2021  Cancelled
2020  Cancelled
2019  Tom Sloman (England)     2019 ENC Individual Results
2018  Todd Clements (England)    2018 ENC Individual Results
2017  Jack Davidson (Wales)    2017 ENC Individual Results
2016  Jack Hume (Ireland)    2016 ENC Individual Results
2015  Mario Galliano (Spain)
2014  Guido Migliori (Italy)
2013  Adrien Saddier (France)
2012  Robin Kind (The Netherlands)
2011  Julien Brun (France)
2010  Nino Bertasio (Italy)
2009  Sam Hutsby (England)
2008  Shane Lowry (Ireland)
2007  Rory McIlroy (Ireland)

Past Sherry Cup Individual Winners

2006  Nigel Edwards (Wales)
2005  Gary Wolstenholme (England)
2004  Francesco Molinari (Italy)
2003  Gary Wolstenholme (England)
2002  Lee Harpin (Wales)
2001  Gary Wolstenholme (England)
2000  Gary Wolstenholme (England)
1999  Marcel Siem (Germany)
1998  Sergio Garcia (Spain)
1997  Sergio Garcia (Spain)
1996  Alvaro Salto (Spain)
1995  José María Zamora (Spain)
1994  Francisco Cea (Spain)
1993  Francisco Valera (Spain)
1992  Frederic Cupillar (France)
1991  Padraig Harrington (Ireland)
1990  Alvaro Prat (Spain)
1989  Diego Borrego (Spain)
1988  Yago Beamonte (Spain)
1987  Yago Beamonte (Spain)
1986  Borja Queipo de Llano (Spain)
1985  José L. Padila (Spain)
1984  John Marks (England)
1983  José L. de Bernardo (Spain)
1982  Borja Queipo de Llano (Spain)
1981  Veit Pagel (Germany)
1980  Jesús López (Spain)
1979  Veit Pagel (Germany)
1978  José L. de Bernardo (Spain)
1977  F. Jiménez (Spain)
1976  Alberto Croze (Italy)
1975  Veit Pagel (Germany)
1974  Veit Pagel (Germany)
1973  Alberto Croze (Italy)
1972  E. de la Riva and J. Gancedo (Spain)
1971  Alberto Croze (Italy)
1970  Henric Adam (England)

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

Jones Cup Invitational – 2025 Preview & Results

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12th January 2025 – Final Round 

Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) won the 21st Jones Cup Invitational after a play-off with Jack BIGHAM (ENG).

Albright parred the 18th, the first sudden death hole, whilst Bigham bogeyed.

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Gray Albright (Photo: Jones Cup Invitational) 

Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) holed a 50 foot birdie putt on the par 3 17th and parred the tough 18th to force a play-off with his Florida State University teammate Jack BIGHAM (ENG). Bigham produced four birdies on his back nine to force his way into the lead but will rue his inability to par the 54th hole which opened the door to Albright.

Hopefully Bigham, who has often struggled to make the FSU line up over the last 12 months, can use this excellent performance to kick on in 2025. 

Both players finished on 212 (-4) two shots ahead of Luke SAMPLE (USA), Jackson VAN PARIS (USA) and Miles RUSSELL (USA) who had to settle for tied 3rd. 

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Top 10 Results (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), another FSU player, and Cameron ADAM (SCO) finished tied 12th on 219 (+3).

Jonathan BALE (WAL) 221 +5 and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) 223 +7 made it five top 30 finishers for GB&I which is a solid return for such an elite tournament.  

The average Round 3 score was 74.79 (+2.79). 17 of the 82 players achieved par or better in the final round.

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GB&I Results (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

Click here to view the – 2025 Jones Cup Invitational Golf Genius Results

ME.

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11th January 2025 – Round 2 

Miles RUSSELL (USA), the 16 year old recent winner of the South Beach International Amateur, shot a bogey-free 68 to move into a share of the lead with overnight co-leader Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) who produced a 72 on Day 2 at Ocean Forest G.C.

Ryan VOOIS (USA) moved into tied 3rd on -3, alongside Luke SAMPLE (USA) and Jack BIGHAM (ENG), after he recorded an excellent 5-under 67, which included six birdies. Bigham moved up the leaderboard with an error free 68 to finish the day as the leading GB&I player.

Henry GUAN (USA) shot nine birdies in his Round 2 7-under 65; comfortably the best round of the tournament so far.

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Round 2 Top 10 Scores (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

After a second round 72 Cameron ADAM (SCO) +2 is tied 14th and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) & Jonathan BALE (WAL) +3 tied 19th.

The average Round 2 score was 74.72 (+2.72). Just 16 of the 82 players achieved par or better on Saturday.

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GB&I Round 2 Scores (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

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10th January 2025 – Round 1 

Luke SAMPLE (USA) and Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) took the Round 1 lead after they both recorded scores of 68 -4 at Ocean Forest G.C.

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) and Jonathan BALE (WAL) 71 (-1) are the best of the nine man British contingent. Tomi BOWEN (WAL) 72 Ev is also in the top 10.

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 Round 1 Top 10 Scores (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

It was a disappointing start for two of our leading players, Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG) 79 +7 tied 69th and Calum SCOTT (SCO) 85 +13, who will be hoping to bounce back strongly in Round 2.

The average Round 1 score was 75.21 (+3.21). Just 18 of the 84 players achieved par or better.

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GB&I Round 1 Scores (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius) 

ME.

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7th January 2025 – Preview

The 21st Jones Cup Invitational will be played between 10th-12th January 2025 at Ocean Forest G.C. on the northern tip of Sea Island in Georgia.

Historically a top 10 ranked amateur tournament it has always attracted a strong field.

The winner of the Jones Cup Invitational, subject to them remaining an amateur, traditionally receives an exemption into the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic played at Sea Island in November.

The Jones Cup Invitational was first played in January 2001 as a prelude to that year’s Walker Cup match which was being staged at Ocean Forest in the following August.

The Sea Island resort is a big supporter of amateur golf with the Jones Cup Junior Invitational, Jones Cup Senior Invitational and Sea Island Women’s Amateur also played at the nearby Seaside Course since 2009, 2012 and 2021 respectively.

I will be updating this article with daily reports throughout the tournament. 

Format

The Jones Cup Invitational is a 54 hole individual stroke play competition played over three days.

Given the relatively small field there is no cut. 

The winner receives the silver Jones Cup and the Layne Williams Medal which was awarded for the first time in 2022. Layne Williams was a rules official for the Georgia State Golf Association.

Players

The Jones Cup Invitational Committee invites 84 players to contest their tournament.

The majority of invites are granted based on each player’s previous performances and their world amateur rankings.

77 players contested an 18 hole qualifier on Sea Island’s Retreat Course on 16th December with Henry GUAN (USA), Max GREEN (USA) and Brycen JONES (USA), all of whom shot 66 -6, securing spots in the field. Click here to view the – 2025 Jones Cup Invitational Qualifier Results 

John Daniel ‘JD’ CULBRETH (USA), the winner of the Jones Cup Junior Invitational which was played a few weeks ago on 19th-21st December also earned an exemption. Click here to view the – 2024 Jones Cup Junior Invitational Results 

Nine golfers from Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) are competing this year and I am sure a few more would have liked to have played if they could. They are (in alphabetical order with their 8th January 2025 WAGRs): –

Cameron ADAM (SCO) #84
Jonathan BALE (WAL) #327
Jack BIGHAM (ENG) #59 
Tomi BOWEN (WAL) #150
Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG) #91 
Connor GRAHAM (SCO) #101
Matt ROBERTS (WAL) #333
Calum SCOTT (SCO) #14
Tyler WEAVER (ENG) #70

In addition to Scott, Bigham and Dodd-Berry there are 35 other players in the WAGR Top 100 who are competing (in rank order): –

Jackson KOIVUN (USA) #2
Gordon SARGENT (USA) #5
David FORD (USA) #6
Jackson VAN PARIS (USA) #9
Tommy MORRISON (USA) #11
Jackson BUCHANAN (USA) #12
Michael LA SASSO (USA) #17
Josiah GILBERT (USA) #21
Max HERENDEEN (USA) #24
Cameron TANKERSLEY (USA) #30
Jack TURNER (USA) #34
Jake PEACOCK (USA) #35
Wells WILLIAMS (USA) #36
Daniel SVARD (SWE) #39
Lance SIMPSON (USA) #40
Jacob MODLESKI (USA) #41
Parker BELL (USA) #42
Maxwell FORD (USA) #46
Justin HASTINGS (CAY) #47
Ethan EVANS (USA) #48
Miles RUSSELL (USA) #51
Luke POTTER (USA) #54
Mahanth CHIRRAVURI (USA) #56
Matthew TROUTMAN (USA) #60
Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) #62
William SIDES (USA) #67
Nicholas MATTHEWS (USA) #68
Luke SAMPLE (USA) #71
Scotty KENNON (USA) #73
Cohen TROLIO (USA) #85
Frankie HARRIS (USA) #87
Jonathan GRIZ (USA) #89
Tyler WATTS (USA) #96
Zach KINGSLAND (USA) #98
Zac JONES (USA) #100

Course

Ocean Forest is a challenging course with an exposed seaside links feel. Holes run alongside both the Hampton River and the Atlantic Ocean with marshes and the sea abutting a number of the fairways and greens. The remaining holes are cut through a pine forest. 

Natural sand dunes are evident albeit the defining feature is the small undulating greens. 

The course plays to 7,308 yards with a standard par of 72. If the wind blows here scores can be unusually high.

The Club was founded in 1995 by Bill Jones III. His family’s Sea Island Company having owned the land since the 1920’s.

Jones invited architect Rees Jones to design a championship course on the site with work commencing in September 1993. Some renovation work was subsequently done by Rees Jones in 2007. Beau Welling Design worked on the course in 2023 refreshing most of the tees, greens and bunkers as well as adding a number of new sandy waste areas.

President George H. Bush, Bill Jones III, former U.S. attorney general Griffin Bell, David Love III and Rees Jones played the opening round in Spring 1995. 

The course was awarded the 2001 Walker Cup shortly after opening. At just 6 years old it remains the youngest club to be afforded this honour. Peter McEvoy led GB&I to a convincing 15-9 victory.

Weather Forecast (as at 7th January)

Generally sunny weather is expected this week albeit it will be cold and as always a little windy.

Fri 10th Jan. – Cloudy / Wind 11 mph NE / Temp. Min. -1°C, Max. 9°C.
Sat 11th Jan. – Rain AM, Sunny PM / Wind 11 mph NW / Temp. Min. 8°C, Max. 11°C.
Sun 12th Jan. – Sunny / Wind 5 mph W / Temp. Min. 2°C, Max. 14°C.

2024 Jones Cup Invitational

Jacob MODLESKI (USA) won the 20th Jones Cup Invitational at Ocean Forest G.C. with a 215 (-1) total. He was the only player to finish the 54-holes under par and earned him a 1-shot victory.

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Jacob Modleski (Photo: Jones Cup Invitational)

Caleb SURRATT (USA) and Jackson KOIVUN (USA) finished tied 2nd on Even par.

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2024 Results (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius)

It was a disappointing Jones Cup for the GB&I contingent who were competing. Jack BIGHAM (ENG) +8 finished tied 18th, James ASHFIELD (WAL) +11 tied 27th and Calum SCOTT (SCO) +13 tied 33rd.

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2024 GB&I-Only Results (Graphic: Jones Cup Invitational / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2024 Jones Cup Invitational Results

Here is a list of the past winners with their finishing scores: –

2024 – Jacob MODLESKI (USA) 215 (-1)
2023 – David FORD (USA) 204 (-12)
2022 – Palmer JACKSON (USA) 211 (-5)
2021 – Ludvig ÅBERG (SWE) 214 (-2)
2020 – Davis THOMPSON (USA) 203 (-13)
2019 – Akshay BHATIA (USA) 142 (-2) – event shortened to 36 holes due to bad weather
2018 – Garrett BARBER (USA) 212 (-4) – winner of the Jones Cup Junior Invitational in 2016
2017 – Braden THORNBERRY (USA) 212 (-4)
2016 – Beau HOSSLER (USA) 214 (-2)
2015 – Austen CONNELLY (USA) 216 (Ev) 
2014 – Corey CONNORS (CAN) 218 (+2)
2013 – Sean DALE (USA) 213 (-3)
2012 – Justin THOMAS (USA) 216 (Ev)
2011 – John PETERSON (USA) 217 (+1)
2010 – Patrick READ (USA) 222 (+6)
2009 – Kyle STANLEY (USA) 217 (+1)
2007 – Luke LIST (USA) 206 (-10) – played at Frederica G.C. due to renovation work at Ocean Forest
2005 – Nicholas THOMPSON (USA) 214 (-2)
2003 – Gregg JONES (USA) 211 (-5)
2001 – DJ TRAHAN (USA) 210 (-6)

Canada’s Corey Connors (2014) and Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg (2021) are the only non-American winners of the Jones Cup Invitational.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.