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The Amateur Championship – 2026 Preview & Results

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Saturday 20th June 2026

Stuart GREHAN (IRL), 33, won The 131st Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool G.C.

He beat Matt MOLONEY (USA), 20, by 1 Hole in the 36 hole Final.

Stuart Grehan (Photo: Oisin Keniry / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

After heading into lunch 1Down Grehan, a re-instated amateur, fought back on the second 18 and despite a nervy finish, which saw him lose the 34th and 35th holes, claimed victory on the final green with a half.

The champion receives the Championship Trophy and a Gold Medal. On the basis he remains an amateur Grehan will also receive exemptions into he 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale G.C., the 2027 Masters Tournament at Augusta National G.C., the 2027 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach G.L. and a DP World Tour event.

The unheralded Moloney, who has enjoyed a superb week on The Wirral, receives a Silver Medal and for the first time a place in the 12 man field for this year’s Last Chance Qualifier for The Open event. A great opportunity for him to make his major championship debut.

Moloney v. Grehan Final Result (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Click here to view the – 2026 Amateur Championship Match Play Results

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Friday 19th June 2026

Match Play – Semi-Finals (Afternoon)

Matt MOLONEY (USA), a rising junior at the University of Georgia, was never behind in his game with Emil RIEGGER (GER). The American, ranked 677th in WAGR, held on well through a tight back nine to come out with a 1 Hole win.

Riegger v. Moloney Semi-Final Result (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

In the second semi-final Ireland’s Stuart GREHAN, ranked 46th in WAGR, came out on the right side of a competitive match with Estonia’s Richard TEDER.

Grehan v. Teder Semi-Final Result (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Match Play – Quarter Finals (Morning)

Emil RIEGGER (GER) was in stunning form this morning at Royal Liverpool G.C. to secure a 2 Holes win over Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG). Riegger was 6-under par for the final 14 holes of the match.

A poor start and finish from Kihei AKINA (USA) opened the door for Matt MOLONEY (USA) to advance in their topsy turvy Quarter Final where 12 of the 18 holes played were won outright.

Stuart GREHAN took advantage of a nervy start from Ed FEATHERSTONE, which saw the Englishman gift Grehan a 4Up lead after 5 holes, to see out their game comfortably.

Richard TEDER‘s (EST) typical fireworks proved too much for the more consistent Reed ARNALDO (USA). Teder recorded six birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey in the 17 holes he required to progress.

Match Play Quarter Finals Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

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Thursday 18th June 2026

Match Play – Last 16 (Afternoon)

The Round of 16 started at at 1.10pm at Royal Liverpool G.C.

20 year old Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG) posted seven birdies on his way to a 3&2 victory against Stefan JACOBS (RSA) who had led by 2Up after three holes.

The Englishman will play Emil RIEGGER after the German got the better of an up and down Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) over 19 holes.

Matt MOLONEY (USA) required 24 Holes, the longest contest of the Championship so far, to see off Arthur CARLIER (FRA).

Moloney will face highly rated Kihei AKINA (USA) in the Quarter Finals after his compatriot birdied the 17th and 18th holes to turn his game around against Jakob MELIN (SWE).

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) appears to be the best GB&I bet for the title but was made to work hard for his place in the Last 8, needing a conceded birdie on the 20th hole to get past Spain’s Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO.

Grehan will play Ed FEATHERSTONE (ENG) who continued his strong form with a 3&1 win against Malan POTGIETER (RSA). An eagle-birdie-birdie run on the 3rd to 5th holes set the foundations for the Englishman’s victory.

Richard TEDER (EST) progressed to the Quarter finals for the third time in the last four years after another battling game this afternoon. 3Down after eight holes against Yuki MIYA (NZL) he ultimately saw out a 2&1 victory.

Teder will face Reed ARNALDO (USA) tomorrow after he overcame Denmark’s Oscar Valdemar HOLM BREDKJÆR in a match that required 23 holes to find a winner.

Match Play Last 16 Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Match Play – Round 2 (Morning)

The Round of 32 got underway at 7.30am with the final game going out at 9.45am.

Six birdies in the 16 holes played was good enough for Stefan JACOBS (RSA) to overcome medalist Wilhelm RYDING (SWE).

English pair Sam EASTERBROOK and Lewy HAYWOOD enjoyed their morning’s on Hoylake’s links. Easterbrook beat Guus LAFEBER (NED) by 3&1 in a game littered with birdies whilst Marlborough’s Hayward recorded the biggest win of the round; a 6&5 triumph over Marcel FONSECA AGUILAR (ESP).

Kihei AKINA (USA), the highest WAGR ranked player left in the field at #22, secured his second match play win with a 5&3 victory against Andries VAN DER VYVER (RSA).

It was a mixed morning for Ireland with Stuart GREHAN (IRL) making short work of Ioan ROWE (WAL) but Matt MCCLEAN losing narrowly to Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO after three late bogeys opened the door to the Spaniard.

Malan POTGIETER (RSA) recorded seven birdies to get the better of a battling Morgan BLYTHE (ENG) by 3&2.

After trailing 2Down with 3 holes to play Ed FEATHERSTONE fought back with birdies on 16 and 17 to take compatriot Kris KIM to extra holes. Both players birdied the 19th before Norfolk’s Featherstone completed a great comeback with another birdie on the 20th. Featherstone is the highest placed stroke play qualifier (tied 2nd) left in the Championship.

It was a game of two halves between Oscar Valdemar HOLM BREDKJÆR (DEN) and James EARLE (USA). The Dane reeled off six birdies for a stunning front nine 30 to take a 3Up lead. However, four bogeys on the back nine including two on the 17th and 18th saw the match head into extra holes. Thankfully Earle bogeyed the 19th to enable Holm Bredkjær to progress to the Last 16.

Match Play Round 2 Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

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Wednesday 17th June 2026

Match Play – Round 1

Round 1 of the Match Play Stage started at 9.30am with the final game going out at Royal Liverpool G.C. at 2.45pm.

Medalist Wilhelm RYDING (SWE) was made to work hard for his place in the Round of 32 coming back from 1Down with 3 Holes to play against Loran APPEL (NED) to secure a narrow 1 Hole win.

Guus LAFEBER (NED), the 2025 R&A Boys’ Amateur champion, confirmed his match play pedigree with a 19th hole win against Scotland’s 2-time Walker Cupper Connor GRAHAM.

In form English pair Sam EASTERBROOK and Lewy HAYWARD were both victorious in the Upper half of the draw but there were early losses for Keith EGAN (IRL), Luke KELLY (ENG), against Easterbrook, Niall SHEILS DONEGAN (SCO), Jamie VAN WYK (ENG), Joshua MCCARTAIN (ENG) and Zach LITTLE (ENG).

Andries VAN DER VYVER (RSA) completed the biggest win of the Round with a 6&5 thrashing of Melvin MULLER (NED).

In the Lower Half of the draw Stuart GREHAN (IRL) took out Eliot BAKER (ENG) by 3&2 in the standout game of Round 1 between the two 2025 GB&I Walker Cup players.

Ioan ROWE, who was the fourth Reserve from last Friday’s Pre-Qualifying event, got the better of Tomi BOWEN on the first extra hole in their all-Welsh clash.

Experienced Matt MCCLEAN became the second Irish player into the last 32 with a good 2&1 win against WAGR #84 Wolfgang GLAWE (GER).

Morgan BLYTHE (ENG), Kris KIM (ENG) and Ed FEATHERSTONE (ENG) all secured home wins late on albeit the latter two came against compatriots Josh HILL (ENG) by 1 Hole and Jack LEE (ENG) by 3&1.

A disappointing day for GB&I players, where only 8 of the 22 qualifiers progressed to Round 2, finished poorly with losses for Seb CAVE (ENG), Henry STYLES (ENG) and Ben BOLTON (ENG).

Match Play Round 1 Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Stroke Play Qualifying Play-Off

Played on the 17th and 18th holes at Royal Liverpool G.C. the 21-players-for-10-spots sudden death play-off started at 7.00am.

Hole 1 – 17th

Nils-Levi BOCK (GER) was the only player to birdie the 17th and therefore the first to claim their place in the Match Play Stage.

A further ten players, Loran APPEL (NED), Seb CAVE (ENG), Jack CROUSORE (USA), Wesley HINTON (AUS), Max HOPKINS (ENG), Jaden HUGGINS (USA), Jack LEE (ENG), Emil RIEGGER (GER), Parker SEVERS (USA) and Kuan ZHOU (USA) parred the hole to move onto the 18th hole.

Veigar HEIÐARSSON (ISL), Frazer JONES (ENG), Noah KENT (USA), Luke POULTER (ENG), Drew SYKES (ENG), Gavin TIERNAN (IRL), Miles WENNESTAM (SUI), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), Toby WILT (USA) and Andre ZHU (CAN) failed to make par and were eliminated.

Hole 2 – 18th

Max HOPKINS (ENG) was the only player out of the ten remaining to bogey the 18th hole.

Loran APPEL (NED) and Wesley HINTON (AUS) birdied the hole whilst Seb CAVE (ENG), Jack CROUSORE (USA), Jaden HUGGINS (USA), Jack LEE (ENG), Emil RIEGGER (GER), Parker SEVERS (USA) and Kuan ZHOU (USA) all secured their pars to advance.

ME.

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Tuesday 16th June 2026

Stroke Play Qualifying – Round 2

The Stroke Play Qualifying Stage saw all 288 competitors play 36 holes over the first two days of the Championship; 18 holes at Royal Liverpool G.C. and 18 holes at West Lancashire G.C. The aim being to finish in the top 64 to earn a place in the Match Play Stage which will start tomorrow.

Wilhelm RYDING (SWE), 21, earned medalist honours with a 135 (-9) total. He shot a 68 (-4) at Royal Liverpool yesterday and a 67 (-5) at West Lancs today. His two rounds included just four bogeys.

Wilhelm Ryding and Stuart Graham (Photo: Oisin Keniry / R&A/ R&A via Getty Images)

Speaking to The R&A after his round the Swede said “The key to my success has been playing smart. I’ve not hit a lot of drivers. I’ve mostly been hitting 2-irons off the tee to avoid the bunkers. I think I’ve been in only one bunker, and that was a greenside bunker. In this type of golf, if you hit all the fairways, then you’ll have plenty of opportunities. I’ve been good out of the rough when I did miss a fairway, and my putting has been good. It’s all added up to a good couple of days.”

Ben BOLTON (ENG), Ed FEATHERSTONE (ENG), Edwin ASKERFORS (SWE) and Joshua MCCARTAIN (ENG) all finished tied 2nd on 136 (-8). Bolton, the England International who primarily plays out of Enville G.C. in Staffordshire, is also a member at Royal Liverpool so has some course knowledge on his side.

Malan POTGIETER (RSA) produced a brilliant bogey free 9-under 63 at Royal Liverpool, tieing the amateur course record, to bounce back from his disappointing opening 76 yesterday, making the cut easily on -5.

Tomi BOWEN (WAL) enjoyed an 8-under 64 at Hoylake in Round 2 which finished with a rare eagle 2 on the 18th after he holed a 65 yard wedge shot.

Jake FOLEY (IRL) missed out on Match Play but at least had the consolation of a second round hole-in-one on West Lancashire’s 176-yard par-3 12th hole.

At the close of play 75 competitors had finished on -2 or better. With 54 players on -3 or better that left 21 players having to contest a sudden death play-off for the 10 remaining spots in the Match Play Stage.

The average score in Round 2 at Royal Liverpool was 71.67 (-0.23). It was 74.64 (+2.64) in Round 1. The average score in Round 2 at West Lancs was 71.48 (-0.52). It was 75.16 (+3.16) in Round 1.

Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Click here to view the – 2026 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

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Monday 15th June 2026

Stroke Play Qualifying – Round 1

Henry STYLES (ENG), Reserve #2 following Friday’s Pre-Qualifying event, took advantage of his late call up to the field by shooting a 5-under 67, which included seven birdies, in his opening 18 holes at West Lancashire G.C. Styles, now 20, was part of the GB&I side that won the Jacques Leglise Trophy at West Lancs in 2024.

Wilhelm RYDING (SWE), 21, produced the best score at Royal Liverpool G.C. with a 4-under 68. His round included an unblemished back nine of 31.

At the end of Day 1 there were 76 players at par or better.

The average score in Round 1 at Royal Liverpool was 74.64 (+2.64) whilst at West Lancs it was higher at 75.16 (+3.16).

Stroke Play Qualifying – Round 1 Leaderboard (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Field Update

Giedrius MACKELIS (LIT), Reserve #5 and Gavin O’NEILL (IRL), Reserve #6, were called up this morning. A total of 29 players who competed in the Pre-Qualifying event therefore ultimately made it into the final field.

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Sunday 14th June 2026

Field Update

Henry STYLES (ENG), Reserve #2, Harry DICKINS (ENG), Reserve #3, and Ioan ROWE (WAL), Reserve #4, have all been called up to the Championship field.

Styles won the English Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool G.C. (and Wallasey G.C.) last August beating Max HOPKINS (ENG) by 5&4 in the Final. One would have thought the national champion of all countries, let alone the hosting nation, would have been exempt into a 288 player field without the need for pre-qualifying.

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Saturday 13th June 2026

Stroke Play Qualifying Startsheets

Royal Liverpool G.C. member Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG) has been afforded the honour of playing the opening tee shot at this year’s Amateur Championship. He will tee off at his home club at 6.45am on Monday morning.

Up the coast Pre-Qualifying medalist Ben MURRAY (SCO) will open proceedings at West Lancashire G.C. at the same time.

Click here to view the – 2026 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Startsheets

Field Update

Aron Emil GUNNARSSON (ISL) has been called up to the Championship field from the Reserve list.

Henry STYLES (ENG) is now Reserve #1, Harry DICKINS (ENG) Reserve #2 and Ioan ROWE (WAL) Reserve #3.

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12th June 2026

Pre-Qualifying

The fifth Amateur Championship Pre-Qualifying (PE) event started at 7.30am with 72 players competing over 18 holes at West Lancashire G.C. The par 72 course was set up at 6,992 yards.

This field was made up of the 15 highest ranked WAGR players not originally accepted into the Championship field followed by a lowest handicap ballot for the remainder.

23 qualifying spots were available at the commencement of play.

Ben MURRAY (SCO) and Riki MATSUMOTO (JAP) were the leading qualifiers after they recorded 1-under par 71’s around West Lancashire.

18 other players on 74 (+2) or better secured places in The Amateur Championship. Greg HOLMES (ENG), Oliver MUKHERJEE (SCO), Colm CAMPBELL JR (IRL), Alexander FARMER (SCO) and Cameron MUKHERJEE (ENG) were amongst this group.

Pre-Qualifying Results (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

A 9 player for 3 spots play-off saw Keith EGAN (IRL), Ashley MILLINGTON (ENG) and Sam MUKHERJEE (SCO), the third brother to advance, make up the 23.

Irrespective of the play-off results reserve spots, which may become available due to subsequent withdrawals from the Championship over the weekend, will be decided by a card count back from the PQ competition itself. Aron Emil GUNNARSSON (ISL) is therefore Reserve #1, Henry STYLES (ENG) Reserve #2 and Harry DICKINS (ENG) Reserve #3.

Pre-Qualifying Results – Play-Off (Graphic: The R&A / GolfBox)

Click here to view the – 2026 Amateur Championship Pre-Qualifying Results

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11th June 2026

Preview

The 131st Amateur Championship will be played at Royal Liverpool G.C. and West Lancashire G.C. in north west England on 15th-20th June 2026.

Ahead of the main Championship an 18 hole Pre-Qualifying (PQ) event is being played on 12th June 2026 at West Lancashire G.C.

The Amateur is the most prestigious amateur golf event played outside of the United States and the highlight of the Great British and Irish (GB&I) amateur season.

I will be updating this article as more information becomes available and providing daily reports throughout the Championship.

The Amateur Championship Trophy (Photo: Oisin Keniry / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Format

Stroke Play Qualifying

Two rounds of stroke play will be completed on Monday 15th June and Tuesday 16th June to determine a top 64 match play field.

Each contestant will play 18 holes around Royal Liverpool G.C. and West Lancashire G.C. with three-ball tee times between 6.45am and 3.37pm on both days.

Since 2024 a sudden death play-off, rather than a Match Play Preliminary Round, has been used to break ties for the last qualifying place. The play-off will be held on the 17th and 18th holes at Royal Liverpool G.C. on Wednesday (17th), commencing at 7.00am.

Ties for all other match play seedings are resolved by reference to the combined back nines (then six, three and one) from each course.

Match Play Stage

The Match Play stage will be contested between Wednesday 17th and Saturday 20th June solely at Royal Liverpool G.C.

The following Match Play template is used to set up the draw.

Each match will consist of one round of 18 holes except for the Final which will be played over 36 holes. Any tied matches will continue into sudden death extra holes to determine a winner.

Royal Liverpool G.C.

Field

607 entries were received this year with 288 players competing in the 2026 Amateur Championship.

42 countries will be represented with players from Hungary and the United Arab Emirates playing for the first time this year.

278 competitors secured places in the Championship when entries closed on 21st May 2026. These players were drawn from 1) a number of exempt categories covering previous Championship performances and representative team selections and 2) allocated to those highest ranked players 1st-2,000th in the WAGR as at Week 20 2026 (i.e. the Wednesday 13th May release), and then via WHS Handicap index at the date of entry.

At entry players were offered the opportunity to play in a Pre-Qualifying (PQ) event, should they not make the initial line-up, for which a minimum of 5 spots were originally guaranteed – see below.

Click here to view the full – 2026 Amateur Championship Terms of Competition

Pre-Qualifying (PQ)

The R&A are running a PQ event for the fifth time to offer some of the players not allocated an original place in the field an opportunity to earn one.

72 players will contest this 18 hole event at West Lancashire G.C. on 12th June 2026.

This field was made up of the 15 highest ranked WAGR players not originally accepted into the Championship field followed by a lowest handicap ballot for the remainder.

The current number of spots available has already risen from the guaranteed 10 to 23 (as at 5.00pm on Thursday 11th June). This is because 13 players have subsequently withdrawn from the Championship before PQ started.

Amongst the 13 withdrawals were highly ranked Miles RUSSELL (USA) and Árni Gunnlaugur SVEINSSON (ISL) who were both successful in Final Qualifying for next week’s U.S. Open Championship which is being played at Shinnecock Hills G.C.

Ties for the last qualifying places will be decided by a sudden death play-off. However, reserve / alternate spots, due to subsequent late withdrawals from the Championship over the weekend, will be decided by a card count back from PQ.

In previous years the number of playing spots derived from PQ have been – 30 (2022), 34 (2023), 43 (2024) and 31 (2025).

West Lancashire G.C.

Leading Players

Luke POULTER (ENG), WAGR #9, is the lowest ranked player in the Championship.

Daniel BENNETT (RSA) #16, Akina KIHEI (USA) #22, Jack TURNER (USA) #23, Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) #28, Niall SHEILS DONEGAN (SCO) #31, Eliot BAKER (ENG) #35, Connor GRAHAM (SCO) #36, Max HERENDEEN (USA) #42 and Adam BRESNU (MOR) #44 are the other players in the WAGR top 50.

The other home players in the WAGR Top 250 competing this year are Stuart GREHAN (IRL) #56, Freddie TURNELL (ENG) #89, Jack WHALEY (ENG) #109, Zach LITTLE (ENG) #120, Harley SMITH (ENG) #121, Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG) #130, Josh HILL (SCO) #139, Tom OSBORNE (ENG) #142, Daniel HAYES (ENG) #147, Seb CAVE (ENG) #159, Ben BOLTON (ENG) #162, Jack BIGHAM (ENG) #174, Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG) #181 and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) #198.

Host Courses

Royal Liverpool G.C.

Royal Liverpool or Hoylake, a renowned links course situated on The Wirral in Cheshire and founded in 1869, is arguably the most historic course in England. It set out the first rules of amateur status and came up with the idea of staging The Amateur Championship with the inaugural event taking place there in 1885 (44 players from 12 clubs competed).

The club has hosted 19 Amateur Championships (a record), 13 Open Championships, one AIG Women’s Open (2012), two Walker Cups (1983 and 2019), a Curtis Cup (1992), three Women’s Amateur (1896, 1989 and 1990) and five Boys’ Amateurs.

The last Amateur played at Hoylake was in 2000 with Finland’s Mikko Ilonen defeating Christian Reimbold of Germany by 2&1 in the final.

This year the R&A will be playing the course at 7,119 yards with a par of 72 during the event.

West Lancashire G.C.

Founded in 1873 West Lancs is located up the coast in Blundellsands, just a few miles north of Liverpool city centre.

It co-hosted The Amateur with Formby in 2009 and has been a regular and current Open Regional and Final Qualifying venue.

During the Championship the course will play to 7,060 yards and a par of 72.

Schedule

The R&A have laid out the following provisional schedule for the Championship: –

2026 Amateur Championship Schedule (Graphic: The R&A)

Weather Forecast

The Championship is set to be played in reasonably good conditions with sunshine, showers and modest winds expected.

Click here to view the – Latest BBC Weather Forecast for Hoylake, Wirral

With tee times between 6.45am and 3.37pm over the opening two days modest changes in the weather throughout each day will inevitably impact scoring in the stroke play qualifying.

Prizes / Exemptions

A momento (a framed championship flag) is presented by The R&A to the leading player in the stroke play qualifying competition, with any ties for this prize decided on the lowest aggregate score for the second nine holes on both courses (or the last six or three or one if necessary).

The winner of the match play stage will become the Amateur Champion receiving the Championship Trophy and a Gold Medal.

The runner-up receives a Silver Medal and each losing semi-finalist a Bronze Medal.

The winner of The Amateur Championship, on the basis they remain an amateur, will receive the following exemptions / invitations into: –

a) the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale G.C., England on 16-19 July 2026;

b) the 2027 Masters Tournament at Augusta National G.C., Georgia on 8-11 April 2027;

c) the 2027 U.S. Open Championship at Pebble Beach G.L., California on 17-20 June 2027; and

d) a DP World Tour event (to be determined).

The Runner-Up will be given one of the 12 places in the inaugural Last Chance Qualifier for The Open event scheduled to take place on Monday 13th July.

The two losing Semi-Finalists and four losing Quarter finalists, on the basis they are still an amateur, will be exempt into Final Qualifying for the 2026 Open Championship.

The Open Championship Amateur Series Winner

For the fourth year The R&A will be running The Open Championship Amateur Series.

The player who gains the most WAGR points in the 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy (5-7 June), Amateur Championship (15-20 June) and European Amateur Championship (24-27 June) will earn an exemption into the forthcoming Open at Royal Birkdale G.C.

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL), Calum SCOTT (SCO) and Cameron ADAM (SCO) earned this exemption in 2023, 2024 and 2025 respectively.

2026 St. Andrews Trophy and Walker Cup GB&I Team Selection

Should a Great Britain & Ireland player win the Amateur Championship they are guaranteed a place on the GB&I Walker Cup team for the match against USA in September.

More Information

Click here to view the – R&A Amateur Championship Official Website

The Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and Final of the match play stage will be live streamed on The R&A TV & You Tube channels as well as being shown on Sky TV in the UK.

2025 Amateur Championship

Match Play Stage

Ethan FANG (USA), then aged 20, won the 130th Amateur Championship at Royal St. George’s G.C. beating Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) by 1 Hole in the 36 hole Final.

Ethan Fang Holds The Amateur Championship Trophy (Photo: Oisin Keniry / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Click here to view the – 2025 Amateur Championship Match Play Results

Stroke Play Qualifying

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) claimed medalist honours at The Amateur Championship with a 133 (-9) total.

Graham became just the third player to win the Stroke Play Qualifying competition in two consecutive years since it was introduced in 1983. The other two cases happened immediately after this format change was made; Philip Parkin (WAL) in 1983-84 and Dana Banke (USA) in 1985-86.

Charlie Maran Presents Medalist Connor Graham With His Flag (Photo: Oisin Kenny / R&A / R&a via Getty Images)

59 players finished on 140 (-2) or better after their 36 holes at Royal St. George’s G.C. (par 70) and Royal Cinque Ports G.C. (par 72).

A sizeable 24-for-5 spots sudden death play-off was therefore required to sort out which of the players who finished on 141 (-1) advanced.

89 players (31%) from GB&I competed in the 2025 Amateur Championship in Kent.

Click here to view the – 2025 Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

31 players ultimately advanced from the 72 who contested the Pre-Qualifying event.

Click here to view the – 2025 Amateur Championship Pre-Qualifying Results

For more information on last year’s Championship please click here – The Amateur Championship – 2025 Preview & Results Article

A Short History of The Amateur

The Amateur Championship was first played in April 1885 at Royal Liverpool G.C. Allan Macfie (SCO) was the first champion beating Horace Hutchinson (ENG) 7&6 in the Final.

Up until the Second World War it was a hugely prestigious event and in many of these early years was afforded a much higher standing in the game than The Open Championship. Players like Johnny Ball (ENG), Harold Hilton (ENG) and Freddie Tait (SCO) were all amateurs and as good if not better than most of the professionals of the day.

With only modest rewards available in the professional game many of the better players simply stayed amateur. The great American Bobby Jones, who won The Amateur in 1930 on the way to his Grand Slam, remains the most well known career amateur.

Even after the war players remained amateur for much longer and famous names like Frank Stranahan (USA), Joe Carr (IRE), Sir Michael Bonallack (ENG), Peter McEvoy (ENG) and Gary Wolstenholme (ENG) all built their reputations on Amateur Championship wins.

With the growth and transformation of the professional game from the early 1980s onwards both the better players and the media increasingly started to turn their backs on the amateur game.

Any continuity has been lost over the last 30 years and most of the young golfing stars of today rarely play any more than 2 or 3 Amateurs before being lured into the pro ranks by the potentially huge rewards on offer.

Past Winners

The greatest player in the history of The Amateur is Johnny Ball. The Hoylake man won the Championship a record 8 times between 1888 and 1912.

Only three other players have won the competition more than twice; Sir Michael Bonallack (5), Harold Hilton (4) and Joe Carr (3). Bonallack amazingly won it three years in a row between 1968-1970. The last person to retain The Amateur was Peter McEvoy in 1977 and ’78.

Prior to Ethan FANG‘s (USA) win in 2025 the previous 10 winners of The Amateur Championship were: –

2024  Jacob Skov Olesen (DEN) – Ballyliffin G.C.
2023  Christo Lamprecht (RSA) – Hillside G.C.
2022  Aldrich Potgieter (RSA) – Royal Lytham and St. Annes G.C.
2021  Laird Shepherd (ENG) – Nairn G.C.
2020  Joe Long (ENG) – Royal Birkdale G.C.
2019  James Sugrue (IRL) – Portmarnock G.C.
2018  Jovan Rebula (RSA) – Royal Aberdeen G.C.
2017  Harry Ellis (ENG) – Royal St. George’s G.C.
2016  Scott Gregory (ENG) – Royal Porthcawl G.C.
2015  Romain Langasque (FRA) – Carnoustie G.C.

A great achievement and honour for all of the players listed above. However, looking through the names reminds us of how incredibly tough golf is and that wins in the biggest amateur events are no guarantee of success in the professional game.

Excluding Ethan Fang, who is expected to turn pro shortly, the most recent Amateur champion not to have subsequently turned professional is Scotland’s Stuart Wilson who won at St Andrews in 2004.

Click here to view a complete list of – Past Amateur Championship Winners

Click here to view a complete list of – Past Amateur Stroke Play Qualifying Medalists

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

The St. Andrews Links Trophy – 2026 Preview & Results

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7th June 2026

Rounds 3 and 4

Rounds of 67 and 70 on the final day ensured 18 year old Lev GRINBERG (FRA) became just the fifth overseas winner of the St. Andrews Links Trophy. His 269 (-18) final score was good enough for a 7-shot victory.

Lev Grinberg (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust)

Melvin MULLER (NED) finished 2nd on -11 and Rodolphe CICALA (FRA) -9 finished 3rd on count back.

Fionn DOBBIN (IRL) was the highest finishing GB&I player in 7th place 0n -7, again after count back. Connor GRAHAM (SCO) 10th and Freddie TURNELL (ENG) 11th also finished on the same score.

The 47 remaining players produced average scores of 72.17 (+0.17) in both Rounds 3 and 4.

Final Results (Graphic: St Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy Leaderboard

ME.

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6th June 2026

Round 2

Lev GRINBERG (FRA) will take a 2-shot lead into the final day of the 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy after a 66 in Round 2.

Melvin MULLER (NED) -9 moved up into 2nd after recording the best round of the day; a 7-under 65 which was only matched by his compatriot Loran APPEL. Appel birdied six holes in a row on the way to his score – the 2nd to the 7th.

Connor GRAHAM (SCO), the leading GB&I player, and Mischa CANDINAS (SUI) -7 are tied 3rd with Stefan JACOBS (RSA) and Veikka VISKARI (FIN) one shot further back in tied 5th place.

The average Round 2 score on the Old Course was 73.33 (+1.33) with 64 players posting a par or better score on Day 2.

At the close of play 47 players made the top 40 and ties 36 hole cut which fell at 142 (-1).

Round 2 Leaderboard (Graphic: St Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

ME.

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5th June 2026

Round 1

Veikka VISKARI (FIN), Mischa CANDINAS (SUI), Filippo PONZANO (ITA) and Rodolphe CICALA (FRA)  all recorded 6-under 65’s on the New Course to share the early St. Andrews Links Trophy lead.

George CANNON (SCO) -4, Finlay GALLOWAY (SCO) and Dominic MCGLINCHEY (SCO) both -3 are the best of the GB&I contingent in Fife.

The average Round 1 score on the New Course was 71.73 (+0.73) with 66 players posting a par or better score on Day 1.

Round 1 Leaderboard (Graphic: St Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

ME.

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3rd June 2026

144 golfers will tee off on Friday 5th June in the 37th St. Andrews Links Trophy competition.

This three day event has become one of the ‘majors’ in men’s amateur golf helped by its venue and timing.

I will be updating this article with daily reports once play gets underway.

Competition Format

The Links Trophy is a 72 hole scratch stroke play competition played annually over the St. Andrews Links in early June.

The field is primarily determined by reference to the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and finished off with various National Golf Union and St. Andrews Links Trust nominations.

The Old Course (Photo: St. Andrews Links – The Home of Golf)

This year Round 1 will be played on the New Course and Round 2 on the Old Course. The Jubilee Course is sometimes used for Round 1 as it was last year.

The New Course plays 6,681 yards to a par of 71. The front nine is 3,302 yards (par 36) long whilst the tougher back nine is 3,379 yards (par 35). It has a Course Rating of 73.3 and a Slope of 132.

The Old Course has been set up at 7,190 yards for the event and has a par of 72. Both nines have a par of 36 and have similar yardages – the front is 3,554 yards long whilst the back is longer at 3,636 yards. It has a Course Rating of 75.7 and a Slope of 143.

Following a top 40 and ties cut on Saturday the leading players will play a final 36 holes on the Old Course on Sunday.

The winner will be the player who returns the lowest 72 hole aggregate score.

In the event of a tie a sudden death play-off will be held over holes 1 and 18 on the Old Course.

Ties for all other places will be decided by count back – the lowest score for the last 18 holes or the last 9 or 6 or 3 or 1 hole if necessary.

The Field

As the NCAA Division I National Championship ends a week later this year (on 3rd June 2026) the field will be missing a number of Great Britain & Ireland’s leading players.

28 different countries will be represented in Fife in 2026.

The highest ranked players in the field are Eliot BAKER (ENG) #35, Connor GRAHAM (SCO) #37, Stuart GREHAN (IRL) #47,  Segundo OLIVA PINTO (ARG) #59, Milan POTGIETER (RSA) #64, Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) #66, Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) #69, Lev GRINBERG (FRA) #83, Freddie TURNELL (ENG) #92, Wolfgang GLAWE (GER) #95, Emil RIEGGER (GER) #102, Harley SMITH (ENG) #103, Zach LITTLE (ENG) #104, Mateo PULCINI (ITA) #108, Filippo PONZANO (ITA) #110, Tom OSBORNE (ENG) #113, Jack BUCHANAN (RSA) 129, TAISEI NAGASAKI (JAP) #134, Seb CAVE (ENG) #149 and Kayan MUDADANA (AUS) #151.

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy Tee Times

Weather Forecast (as at Wednesday 3rd June)

The current weather forecast looks poor; cool with rain and strong winds expected every day.

Friday 5th June – Light Rain. Wind 19 mph SW. Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 16°C.
Saturday 6th June – Light Rain. Wind 19 mph SE. Temp. Min. 10°C / Max. 15°C.
Sunday 7th June – Light Rain Showers. Wind 21 mph SW. Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 16°C.

Tee times in Rounds 1 and 2 will start at 7.00am and end at 3.10pm so as with any links course the draw could play a part in proceedings.

Prizes

The winner receives The St Andrews Links Trophy and a commemorative medal.

The runner-up and third place finisher also receive medals.

Reducing cash prizes from £700 to £125 are also awarded to the top 10 finishers.

In addition to the main prizes The Ian Forbes Memorial Cup is awarded for the best aggregate score on the first two days of the Championship, together with £150 cash.

The Open Championship

Introduced in 2023 The Open Amateur Series, which offers an exemption into The Open Championship, is again being run by The R&A.

The player who gains the most WAGR points in the 2025 St. Andrews Links Trophy, Amateur Championship and European Amateur Championship will earn a spot at Royal Birkdale in July.

Competition Website

For more information click here to view the – 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy Tournament Website

Click here to view the – 2026 St. Andrews Links Trophy Leaderboard

2025 St. Andrews Links Trophy

Cameron ADAM (SCO) won the 2025 St. Andrews Links Trophy after a sudden death play-off with John DOYLE (IRL). Adam won on the first play-off hole – the 1st on the Old Course – with a two putt par 4 after the young Irishman three putt bogeyed the hole.

Adam and Doyle both finished the 72 hole tournament on 271 (-17).

Cameron Adam (Photo: Adam Family)

Mark STOCKDALE (ENG) -14 finished 3rd, Harley SMITH (ENG) -12 4th, Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) -12 5th, Christiaan MAAS (RSA) -11 6th, Ugo MALCOR (FRA) -11 7th and Thomas HIGGINS -11 8th.

2025 St. Andrews Links Trophy – Top 20 Results (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2025 St. Andrews Links Trophy Results

Past Winners

Click here to view a full list of the – St Andrews Links Trophy Past Winners

Only Craig WATSON (1992 and 1998), the former GB&I Walker Cup captain, and Barclay HOWARD (1994 and 1996) have won the title twice.

The most famous winner is Justin ROSE who won in 1997.

Interestingly given the normally cosmopolitan nature of the fields the Links Trophy has only been won by players from outside GB&I on four occasions – Australia’s Stuart BOVIER (1990), Daan HUIZING from The Netherlands (2012), Federico ZUCCHETTI from Italy (2015) and Connor MCKINNEY (AUS) from Australia (2022).

Huizing, who had won the 2012 Lytham Trophy by 11 shots just a few weeks earlier, set a scoring record of -23 in 2012 (65 New, 64, 68 and 67 all Old) and won by an astonishing 14 shots.

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All Rights Reserved.

NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2026 Preview & Results

Posted on by

20th May 2026

Here is a summary of the results from the six 54-hole NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional Championships which were played on 18th-20th May 2026.

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 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship will be played at Omni La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California on 29th May-3rd June.

ATHENS, GEORGIA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Vanderbilt (-28), 2nd Louisville (-26), 3rd Auburn (-22), 4th BYU (-20), 5th Georgia (-19)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: Tied 1st Will Hartman (USA / Vanderbilt) & Malan Potgieter (RSA / Louisiana) -14

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: Tied 1st Malan Potgieter (RSA / Louisiana) -14

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – ADAM BUCHANAN (IRL / LOUISVILLE) SUB DNP
Non-Qualified – FREDDIE TURNELL (ENG / ILLINOIS) 59th +5, HENRY DALY (ENG / RICE) 60th +6, IEUAN JONES (WAL / HARVARD) Tied 64th +7, DREW SYKES (ENG / COASTAL CAROLINA – IND.) Tied 64th +7, MONTY HOLCOMBE (ENG / NORTHWESTERN) Tied 68th +8, MARK GAZI (IRL / NORTHWESTERN) SUB DNP

BERMUDA RUN, NORTH CAROLINA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Virginia (-36), 2nd Pepperdine (-36), 3rd Ole Miss (-31), 4th USC (-27), 5th Mississippi State (-26)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Ben James (USA / Virginia) -19

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: Tied 5th Jacob Lang (USA / Kentucky) -9

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – None
Non-Qualified – ED FEATHERSTONE (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) Tied 42nd +2, DEWI JOHN (WAL / CHARLESTON SOUTHERN) Tied 52nd +5, MARK STOCKDALE (ENG / LITTLE ROCK) Tied 58th +6

BRYAN, TEXAS

Due to bad weather the final 36 holes of this Regional were played on Tuesday 19th May.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Texas (-45), 2nd Texas A&M (-40), 3rd Chattanooga (-23), 4th North Carolina (-19), 5th Tennessee (-18)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Luke Potter (USA / Texas) -17

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 10th Jorge Martin Sampedro (ESP / UTRGV) -8

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) 3rd -14, NIALL SHEILS DONEGAN (SCO / NORTH CAROLINA) N/A +5 (only played the last two rounds due to back injury)
Non-Qualified – LEWIS WRIGHT (ENG / TCU) T34 Ev, ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) T37 +1

img_4771

COLUMBUS, OHIO

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Florida (Ev), 2nd Stanford (+24), 3rd Memphis (+25), 4th Arizona State (+30), 5th Florida State (+31)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Luke Poulter (ENG / Florida) Ev

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 5th Steen Zeman (USA / Long Beach State) +2

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) 1st Ev, JACK WHALEY (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) Tied 7th +4, CIAN O’CONNOR (IRL / MEMPHIS) Tied 11th +6, JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) Tied 23rd +9,  TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) NS (due to a back injury)
Non-Qualified – SEBASTIAN DESOISA (GIB / OREGON) Tied 71st +25

CORVALLIS, OREGON

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Oklahoma (-34), 2nd UCLA (-14), 3rd Arkansas (-11), 4th Purdue (-10), 5th San Diego (-9, after a play-off with Liberty)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: 1st Michael Lugiano (USA / Liberty) -12

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: 1st Michael Lugiano (USA / Liberty) -12

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) Tied 9th -5, JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) Tied 72nd +12
Non-Qualified – CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) Tied 43rd +2, SEB CAVE (ENG / CHARLOTTE) Tied 55th +6, HARRISON SEWELL (ENG / GEORGIA SOUTHERN) Tied 55th +6, MORGAN BLYTHE (ENG / GEORGIA SOUTHERN) Tied 65th +8, FRAZER JONES (ENG / CHARLOTTE) Tied 70th +9

MARANA, ARIZONA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

TEAM QUALIFIERS: 1st Arizona (-49), 2nd Oklahoma State (-35), 3rd LSU (-30), Tied 4th Duke & Arkansas State (-24)

INDIVIDUAL MEDALIST: Tied 1st Eric Lee (USA / Oklahoma State), Zach Pollo (USA / Arizona), Filip Jakubcik (CZH / Arizona) & William Jennings (USA / Alabama) -15

INDIVIDUAL QUALIFIER: Tied 1st William Jennings (USA / Alabama) -15

GB&I PLAYERS:
Qualified – DAN HAYES (ENG / LSU) Tied 18th -6, OLLIE MUKHERJEE (SCO / DUKE) Tied 35th Ev, MILAN REED (ENG / ARKANSAS STATE) Tied 43rd +2, JAKE WALLIS (ENG / ARKANSAS STATE) Tied 49th +3, MATTY DODD-BERRY (ENG / LSU) 73rd +1 (only played the first two rounds), SAM MUKHERJEE (SCO / DUKE)SUB DNP
Non-Qualified – THOMAS HIGGINS (IRL / CLEMSON) Tied 71st +7, FREDDIE TUCKER (ENG / IONA) SUB +7 (played final round only), TOM SCULLION (ENG / FLORIDA GULF COAST) SUB DNP

ME.

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10th May 2026 (Updated 18th May 2026)

Regional Championships

The six 54 hole NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Regional Championships will be played on 18th-20th May 2026.

81 teams and 45 individuals, from non-qualifying teams, were selected on 6th May 2026 to compete at these competitions.

Local Conference Championships were played across the country in April with 29 Conference team champions granted automatic qualification into the 2026 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 29th May-3rd June 2026.

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.

Oklahoma State are the defending champions after they defeated Virginia 4-1 in the 2025 Championship Final in Carlsbad.  Ole Miss junior Michael La Sasso (USA) won the Individual title with a 72 hole total score of 277 (-11).

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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.

35 GB&I players have been selected for their colleges albeit some of these will start as substitutes.

ATHENS, GEORGIA
Course: University of Georgia Golf Course (Par 71) / Host: University of Georgia
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Auburn
2. Illinois – FREDDIE TURNELL (ENG)
3. Vanderbilt
4. BYU
5. Georgia
6. Louisville – ADAM BUCHANAN (IRL) SUB, PATRICK KEELING (IRL) NS
7. Kansas
8. Northwestern – MONTY HOLCOMBE (ENG), MARK GAZI (IRL) SUB, ARCHIE FINNIE (SCO) NS
9. College of Charleston
10. Rice – HENRY DALY (ENG)
11. Southern Mississippi
12. Harvard [The Ivy League] – IEUAN JONES (WAL)
13. Howard [Northeast Conference] – KEZAIA DIMOSI (ENG) NS

Individuals
1. Malan Potgieter, Louisiana
2. Hugo Thyr, South Alabama
3. Max Bengtsson, Coastal Carolina [Sun Belt Conference]
4. DREW SYKES (ENG), Coastal Carolina
5. Erik Olin, UAB
6. Matthis Lefevre, Stetson
7. Andrew Ferworn, North Alabama
8. Shaun Cook, Kennesaw State
9. Rasmus Ditzinger, Fairfield [Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]
10. Vicente Rodriguez, Alabama A&M [Southwestern Athletic Conference]

BERMUDA RUN, NORTH CAROLINA
Course: Bermuda Run Country Club (Par 71) / Host: Wake Forest University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Virginia [Atlantic Coast Conference] – ALEX WELLS (ENG) NS
2. Ole Miss [Southeastern Conference]
3. Pepperdine [West Coast Conference]
4. Georgia Tech
5. Southern California
6. Wake Forest
7. Mississippi State
8. Little Rock [Ohio Valley Conference] – ED FEATHERSTONE (ENG), MARK STOCKDALE (ENG), ALEXANDER ROWLAND (ENG) NS
9. NC State
10. Kentucky
11. Houston – RUBEN LINDSAY (SCO) NS
12. Richmond [Atlantic 10 Conference]
13. Navy [Patriot League]
14. Presbyterian [Big South Conference]

Individuals
1. Emil Riegger, Maryland
2. Tyler Jones, Western Carolina
3. Harris Barth, Furman
4. Kelvin Hernandez, UNC Greensboro [Southern Conference]
5. DEWI JOHN (WAL), Charleston Southern [Big South Conference]

BRYAN, TEXAS
Course: Traditions Club (Par 72) / Host: Texas A&M University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Texas
2. North Carolina – NIALL SHEILS DONEGAN (SCO)
3. Tennessee – JOSH HILL (ENG)
4. New Mexico – OLIVER CAGE (ENG) NS
5. Texas A&M
6. TCU – LEWIS WRIGHT (ENG)
7. UNCW [Coastal Athletic Association]
8. UNLV [Mountain West Conference] – ZACH LITTLE (ENG)
9. Colorado
10. Cincinnati
11. Chattanooga [Southern Conference]
12. Miami (Ohio) [Mid-American Conference]
13. UTRGV [Southland Conference]
14. Arkansas-Pine Bluff [Southwestern Athletic Conference]

Individuals
1. William Sides, SMU
2. Ben Steinmann, SMU
3. Jonas Appel, Baylor
4. Arth Sinha, UT Arlington [Western Athletic Conference]
5. Joel Talusen, UIW [Southland Conference]

img_4771

COLUMBUS, OHIO
Course: OSU Golf Club (Par 71) / Host: Ohio State University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Florida – LUKE POULTER (ENG)
2. Arizona State
3. Stanford
4. Long Beach State [Big West Conference] – JAMES BRASH (ENG) NS
5. Florida State – JACK BIGHAM (ENG), JACK WHALEY (ENG), TYLER WEAVER (ENG) NS
6. Utah
7. South Carolina
8. California
9. South Florida
10. Memphis – CIAN O’CONNOR (IRL)
11. Oregon – SEBASTIAN DESOISA (GIB), JAY GOULD-HEALY (IRL) NS, OSCAR LENT (ENG) NS
12. Illinois State [Missouri Valley Conference]
13. Wright State [Horizon League]

Individuals
1. Riccardo Fantinelli, Princeton
2. Ryan Shellberg, Iowa
3. Paul Beauvy, Iowa State
4. Chun-Ta Wu, Minnesota
5. Caleb Bond, Michigan State
6. Ashton McCulloch, Michigan State
7. Lucas Politano, Rutgers
8. Carter Maneth, Middle Tennessee
9. Zachary May, Iowa State
10. Arjun Singh Bhatia, LIU [Northeast Conference]

CORVALLIS, OREGON
Course: Trysting Tree Golf Club (Par 72) / Host: Oregon State University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Arkansas
2. Texas Tech – CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO), SEAN KEELING (IRL) NS
3. Oklahoma
4. Charlotte [American Athletic Conference] – SEB CAVE (ENG), FRAZER JONES (ENG),
5. UCLA [Big Ten Conference]
6. Notre Dame
7. San Diego
8. Purdue – SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG), JENSON FORRESTER (ENG)
9. Georgia Southern – MORGAN BLYTHE (ENG), HARRISON SEWELL (ENG)
10. Oregon State
11. Liberty [Conference USA]
12. Xavier [Big East Conference]
13. Sacramento State [Big Sky Conference]

Individuals
1. Sam Renner, Washington State
2. Avinash Iyer, San Jose State
3. Finn Koelle, Washington
4. Jacob Goode, Washington
5. Emil Borrestuen Herstad, Washington
6. Keshav Mungali, San Jose State
7. Ivan Barahona, San Jose State
8. Alex Lindstrom, Kansas State
9. Dylan Boenning, Washington State
10. Gustav Liljeberg, Oral Roberts [The Summit League]

MARANA, ARIZONA
Course: The Gallery Golf Club (Par 72) / Host: Arizona University
CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

Teams
1. Oklahoma State [Big 12 Conference]
2. LSU – MATTY DODD-BERRY (ENG), DAN HAYES (ENG)
3. Arizona
4. Alabama
5. Duke – OLLIE MUKHERJEE (SCO), SAM MUKHERJEE (SCO) SUB
6. Clemson – THOMAS HIGGINS (IRL)
7. San Diego State
8. Arkansas State [Sun Belt Conference] – MILAN REED (ENG), JAKE WALLIS (ENG)
9. West Virginia
10. Florida Gulf Coast [ASUN Conference] – TOM SCULLION (ENG) SUB
11. St. Mary’s (California)
12. Tarleton State [Western Athletic Conference]
13. North Dakota State [The Summit League]
14. Iona [Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference] – FREDDIE TUCKER (ENG) SUB

Individuals
1. Rudy Sautron, Nebraska
2. Dylan Teeter, UTEP
3. Trevor Algya, LMU
4. Veikka Viskari, Missouri
5. Javier Delgadillo, New Mexico State [Conference USA]

SUB – Substitute / NS – Not Selected

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

Jones Cup Invitational – 2026 Preview & Results

Posted on by

11th January 2026

Final Round

SMU senior Will SIDES (USA) shot a second consecutive 69 to win the weather shortened 22nd Jones Cup Invitational at Ocean Forest G.C. on 138 (-6). Sides is a unique player in that swings right-handed by putts left-handed.

William Sides (Photo: Jones Cup International)

Frankie HARRIS (USA), who enjoyed a hole-in-one on the 9th today, and Miles RUSSELL (USA) finished tied 2nd on -4.

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), Luke POULTER (ENG), Tom FISCHER (USA) and Parker BELL (USA) tied for 4th place on -2. 

Just 11 players out of the 84 competitors finished under par after the 36 holes with the average score rising to 75.3 (3.3) on a windier Day 2.

Jones Cup Invitational – Final Results

In addition to Weaver and Poulter, Harley SMITH (ENG) Ev, tied 12th, and Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG) +1, tied 16th, enjoyed encouraging top 20 results in Sea Island, Georgia.

Jones Cup Invitational – GB&I Final Results

Click here to view the – 2026 Jones Cup Invitational Leaderboard

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10th January 2026

Round 1

After the delayed completion of the first round Grayson WOOD (USA) -6 leads Tom FISCHER (USA) by 1-shot at the Jones Cup Invitational.

Parker BELL (USA), Ryan VOOIS (USA), Will SIDES (USA), Matthew KRESS (USA), Max HERENDEEN (USA) and Paul CHANG (CHN) are all tied 3rd after 3-under 69’s.

The 84 players managed an average score of 74.7 (+2.7) in Round 1.

Jones Cup Invitational – Round 1 Leaderboard (Final)

Luke POULTER (ENG) shot a 2-under 70 to be the best of the 17 player GB&I contingent.

Tomi BOWEN (WAL), Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG) are all in the top 20 after opening with even par 70’s. 

Jones Cup Invitational – GB&I Round 1 Leaderboard (Final)

Jones Cup Shootout

With the event reduced to 36 holes the organisers decided to play a nearest-the-pin competition on the 17th hole, known as ‘The Point’, commencing at 3.00pm (8.00pm GMT). 

Tomi BOWEN (WAL) won the inaugural Jones Cup Shootout on Ocean Forest’s signature par 3 with a shot which finished 2 feet and 11 inches away from the hole. The 17th was set up at 164 yards and played into the prevailing sea wind.

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9th January 2026

Round 1

Round 1 commenced at 9.00am (2.00pm GMT). However, shortly afterwards fog rolled in to the area which caused a 4 hour and 50 minute delay in proceedings.

As none of the field were therefore able to complete their first rounds on Day 1 the organisers decided to reduce the competition to 36 holes. Round 1 will now be completed tomorrow with the final 18 holes being played on Sunday. 2019, when Akshay BHATIA (USA) won, is the only other year where the event has had to be reduced to 36 holes. 

Ryan VOOIS (USA), 4-under after 13 holes, holds the early Round 1 lead at the Jones Cup. Carter LOFFIN (USA) after 14 holes, Will SIDES (USA) after 11 and Cayden POPE (USA) after just 5 are all one shot further back.

Jones Cup Invitational – Round 1 Leaderboard (End of Day 1)

Luke POULTER (ENG), who has completed 10 holes of his first round, is currently the best placed GB&I player in the field on 1-under. 

Jones Cup Invitational – GB&I Round 1 Leaderboard (End of Day 1)

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7th January 2026 – Preview

The 22nd Jones Cup Invitational will be played between 9th-11th January 2026 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 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. 

Prizes

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.

The winner of the Jones Cup Invitational, subject to them remaining an amateur, has historically also received an exemption into the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic played at Sea Island in November (19th-22nd in 2026).

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.

75 players contested an 18 hole qualifier on Sea Island’s Retreat Course on 15th December with Matt VOGT (USA) -3, Thad WHITFIELD (USA) -2 and Brandon KNIGHT (USA) -2 all securing spots in the field. Click here to view the – 2026 Jones Cup Invitational Qualifier Results 

Ayden FYNAUT (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 – 2025 Jones Cup Junior Invitational Results 

A record 17 golfers from Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) are competing this year, making up 20% of the field. They are (in alphabetical order with their 7th January 2026 WAGRs): –

Eliot BAKER (ENG) #61
Jonathan BALE (WAL) #196
Jack BIGHAM (ENG) #91
Tomi BOWEN (WAL) #293
Oli BLACKADDER (SCO) #1894
Caolan BURFORD (WAL) #1192
Seb CAVE (ENG) #146
Brodie CUNNINGHAM (SCO) #1850
Jamie DEAN (WAL) #1668
Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG) #102
Stuart GREHAN (IRL) #54
Luke POULTER (ENG) #22
Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #41
Harley SMITH (ENG) #116
Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) #307
Freddie TURNELL (ENG) #101
Tyler WEAVER (ENG) #12

In addition to Weaver, Poulter and Shiels-Donegan there are 19 other players in the WAGR Top 50 who are competing (in rank order): –

Gunnlaugur ÁRNI SVEINSSON (ISL) #8
Tommy MORRISON (USA) #9
Wells WILLIAMS (USA) #13
Miles RUSSELL (USA) #14
Daniel BENNETT (RSA) #15
Jacob MODLESKI (USA) #16
Jack TURNER (USA) #17
Cameron TANKERSLEY (USA) #21
Max HERENDEEN (USA) #23
Lance SIMPSON (USA) #24
Will SIDES (USA) #34
Paul CHANG (CHN) #35
Ryan VOOIS (USA) #37
Luke COLTON (USA) #40
Daniel SVARD (SWE) #43
Garrett ENDICOTT (USA) #46
Clark VAN GAALEN(USA) #47
Frankie HARRIS (USA) #48
Tom FISCHER (USA) #49

2011 champion John PETERSON (USA), now 36 and a reinstated amateur since 2024, makes a return to the field too.

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 over the weekend with reasonable temperatures and moderate winds forecast.

Fri 9th Jan. – Sunny Intervals / Wind 10 mph S / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 23°C.
Sat 10th Jan. – Sunny / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 24°C.
Sun 11th Jan. – Sunny / Wind 13 mph NW / Temp. Min. 5°C, Max. 17°C.

2025 Jones Cup Invitational

Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) won the 21st Jones Cup Invitational after a play-off with his Florida State University teammate 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) 

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.

Out of the nine GB&I competitors Tyler WEAVER (ENG), another FSU player, and Cameron ADAM (SCO) finished tied 12th on 219 (+3).

Click here to view the – 2025 Jones Cup Invitational Results

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

2025 – Gray ALBRIGHT (USA) 212 (-4)
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 © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

September 2025 Men’s Amateur Rankings

Posted on by

8th October 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 September 2025 Quarter period has now been added.

I have selected Connor GRAHAM (SCO) as My Player of the Quarter based on his consistent play throughout the period, topped off with a battling Walker Cup performance for GB&I.

Connor Graham (Photo: Oisin Kenny / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Here is a summary of Connor’s performances between July and September 2025: –

The 153rd Open Championship – Qualified / 150th
The St. Andrews Trophy Match v. Continent of Europe – GB&I Won / P4 W3 L1 (5th)
Farmfoods Scottish Challenge (Pro) – 12th
The U.S. Amateur Championship – SP 40th / MP Rd of 64 (v. Tyler Weaver)
The Carmel Cup – 13th
The Walker Cup Match v. USA – USA Won / P4 W2 L1 H1 (1st)
OFCC / Fighting Illini Invitational – 6th
Ben Hogan Collegiate Invitational – 13th

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

ME.

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

World Amateur Team Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

11th October 2025

Round 4

SOUTH AFRICA secured their first Eisenhower Trophy victory with a 547 (-29) total on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore.

South Africa (Photo: IGF)

AUSTRALIA (-21) finished 2nd and ENGLAND (-19) 3rd, securing the silver and bronze medals.

SCOTLAND (-11) finished tied 7th, IRELAND (Ev) tied 21st and WALES (+5) tied 27th.

Defending champions USA (-9) were a disappointing tied 10th.

Team Results (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

The outstanding player at this year’s Championship, Christiaan MAAS (RSA), finished with a 69 for a 266 (-22) total, 10 shots ahead of Australia’s Declan O’DONOVAN in 2nd place.

Eliot BAKER (ENG), 67, and Connor GRAHAM (SCO), 66, with the best score in Round 4, both finished on -6 and tied 11th. Stuart GREHAN (IRL), 71, Charlie FORSTER (ENG), 70, and Tyler WEAVER (ENG), -5, were tied 17th.

Individual Results (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – Men’s 2025 WATC Team and Individual Leaderboards

The 2027 World Amateur Team Championships will be hosted by the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and will be played at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.

ME.

__________________________________________

10th October 2025

Round 3

With just 18 holes to play SOUTH AFRICA (-26), who are surprisingly seeking their first Eisenhower Trophy victory, enjoy an 11-shot lead after they delivered a best of the week 132 (-13) in the third round.

AUSTRALIA and MEXICO are tied 2nd on -15 with ENGLAND (-12) and FRANCE (-11) also well placed in the race for the silver and bronze medals.

SCOTLAND (-5) are tied 10th, IRELAND (-1) tied 19th and WALES (Ev) tied 22nd heading in to tomorrow’s final round.

Defending champions USA (-4) are tied 14th after a second consecutive 139 (-5) score in Round 3.

Round 3 Team Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

Christiaan MAAS (RSA) shot a third round 65 to move on to -19. With a 10-shot lead he now seems assured of the Individual honours in Singapore.

Mexico’s Eduardo DERBEZ, a University of Texas teammate of Maas, shot the best round of the week so far in Round 3. His 64, which included six consecutive birdies on the front nine and a final hole eagle, earned him a share of the course record.

After 54 holes Tyler WEAVER (ENG) -6 is tied 7th, Stuart GREHAN (IRL) -4 tied 12th, Charlie FORSTER (ENG) -3 19th and Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) -1 tied 27th.

Round 3 Individual Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

ME.

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9th October 2025

Round 2

SOUTH AFRICA (-14) moved into a commanding 5-shot lead at the Eisenhower Trophy after a 135 (-9) Round 2 score.

On a low scoring day in Singapore, albeit one where play was suspended for 1 hour and 24 minutes in the morning due to dangerous weather, AUSTRALIA, FRANCE and ENGLAND (-9) are all tied 2nd after 138 (-6), 139 (-5) and 137 (-7) team scores respectively.

The other home nations also improved their leaderboard positions. IRELAND and WALES (both -2) rose to tied 14th whilst SCOTLAND (-1) are up to tied 18th.

Defending champions and favourites USA (+1) are tied 22nd after a 139 (-5) Round 2 score.

Round 2 Team Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

Christiaan MAAS (RSA) -12 leads the Individual standings by 4-shots after he posted a second consecutive 66.

Rintaro NAKANO (JAP) also recorded a 66 to move up to tied 3rd place on -7 behind Hiroshi TAI (SNP) -8, after he could only manage a 71, and alongside Oscar COUILLEAU (FRA) who shot one of three 67’s in Round 2.

Charlie FORSTER (ENG) 69, now on -4 in tied 11th, and Stuart GREHAN (IRL) 68, Connor GRAHAM (SCO) 67 & Tyler WEAVER (ENG) 68, -3 in tied 14th are the leading GB&I players after 36 holes.

Round 2 Individual Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

ME.

__________________________________________

8th October 2025

Round 1

Carlos Astiazaran (-4) and Eduardo Derbez (-3) helped MEXICO (-7) to a surprise Round 1 lead in the Eisenhower Trophy competition.

SOUTH AFRICA (-5) and FRANCE (-4) are their nearest challengers after a typically warm day in Singapore where temperatures peaked at 91°F in the afternoon.

ENGLAND (-2) finished the opening day tied 8th, WALES (+2) tied 20th, SCOTLAND (+3) tied 25th and IRELAND (+4) tied 28th.

Defending champions USA (+6), tied 32nd, got off to a disappointing start which may prove to be unsurmountable even with their elite team. All three of their players posted scores of 75 (+3).

Round 1 Team Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

Home favourite Hiroshi TAI (SNP) -7 leads Christiaan MAAS (RSA) -6 and Carlos ASTIAZARAN (MEX) (-4) in the Individual standings. Tai had the honour of hitting the opening tee shot this morning and finished the day 1-shot shy of David Puig’s course record.

From a GB&I perspective Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Charlie FORSTER (ENG) -1 are tied 15th and Tyler WEAVER (ENG), Caolan BURFORD (WAL), Jonathan BALE (WAL), Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) +1 are all tied 35th.

Round 1 Individual Leaderboard (Graphic: IGF / Golf Genius)

ME.

__________________________________________

7th October 2025

The 34th Men’s World Amateur Team Championship (WATC), played for the Eisenhower Trophy, starts on Wednesday 8th October in Singapore.

The Championship will be hosted by the Singapore Golf Association and played at Tanah Merah Country Club.

USA, who won the competition for the 16th time in 2023, will be looking to defend the title for the first time since they last did so in 2014. They also have the opportunity to become the first country since 1994 to win both the men’s and women’s competitions in the same year following their victory in the Espirito Santo Trophy last week.

The WATC is a biennial international amateur golf competition run by the International Golf Federation (IGF).

The IGF comprises 153 national governing bodies of golf in 150 countries as well as tours and organizations that conduct championships. It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the body responsible for golf and as such, in addition to the Men’s and Women’s WATC’s it also organises the golf competitions in both the Olympics and Youth Olympics.

The WATC are hosted by rotation taking in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, Africa and for the first time in 2023 the Middle East.

The first WATC took place in 1958 and was played over the Old Course at St. Andrews. Bobby Jones captained the United States of America famously receiving the Freedom of the Town during the trip, although his team ended up losing a play-off to Australia for the title.

Competition Format

36 teams are competing in the 2025 WATC.

The three players from each team play 72 holes of stroke play over four days. The two lowest rounds recorded on each day count towards the team’s total score.

Ties for the golf medal are resolved by reference to the third non-counting score in the fourth round, then, if necessary, the third, second and first rounds. All other ties are left unresolved.

The winning team receive the Eisenhower Trophy. The Trophy was provided in 1958 by the American Friends of Golf through the United States Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. It is named in honour of the then United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The inscription on the trophy reads: “To foster friendship and sportsmanship among the Peoples of the World.”

Players in the leading three teams receive gold, silver and bronze medals.

Whilst individual results are reported and the player with the lowest score is recognised at the closing ceremony there has historically been no prize awarded for this achievement.

Competitors

The home nations will be represented by the following players (with their ages and WAGR as at 1st October noted after their name): –

ENGLAND – Eliot Baker 22 (#93), Charlie Forster 22 (#47), Tyler Weaver 20 (#12)

England (Photo: IGF)

IRELAND – John Doyle 18 (#414), Stuart Grehan 32 (#124), Caolan Rafferty 32 (#133)

Ireland (Photo: IGF)

SCOTLAND – Cameron Adam 22 (#18), Connor Graham 18 (#37), Niall Shiels Donegan 20 (#59)

Scotland (Photo: IGF)

WALES – Jonathan Bale 37 (#177), Tomi Bowen 22 (#285) Caolan Burford 21 (#1,488)

Wales (Photo: IGF)

The other competing nations are as follows with those highlighted expected to be the most competitive.

ARGENTINA – Juan Martín Loureiro 22 (#185), Segundo Oliva Pinto 26 (#115), Mateo Pulcini 25 (#171)

AUSTRALIA – Billy Dowling 20 (#262), Declan O’Donovan 22 (#315), Harry Takis 19 (#117)

BRAZIL – Andrey Borges Xavier 24 (#31), Eduardo Ferreira 19 (#148), Herik Oliveira Machado 24 (#46)

CANADA – Isaiah Ibit 19 (#379), Justin Matthews 21 (#237), Ashton McCulloch 23 (#70)

CHINA – Haoyi Wang 16 (#213), Qiyou Wu 16 (#222), Ziqin Zhou 19 (#125)

COLOMBIA – Carlos Ardila Conde 29 (#49), Tomás Restrepo 17 (#183), Emilio Vélez 15 (#143)

CZECHIA – Timotej Formánek 20 (#542), Filip Jakubčík 21 (#7), Štěpán Plášek 16 (#335)

DENMARK – Claes T. Borregaard 25 (#77), Oscar H. Bredkjær 21 (#383), Kristian H. Bressum 25 (#65)

ESTONIA – Kevin Jegers 24 (#107), Richard Teder 20 (#101), Mattias Varjun 25 (#356)

FRANCE – Louis Anceaux 20 (#308), Oscar Couilleau 17 (#120), Hugo Le Goff 17 (#54)

GERMANY – Wolfgang Glawe 23 (#69), Emil Riegger 20 (#116), Tim Wiedemeyer 20 (#22)

GUAM – Redge Camacho 30 (#3,084), Markus Nanpei 20 (#NR), Ivan Sablan 21 (#1,811)

GUATEMALA – Sebastian Barnoya 31 (#76), Gabriel Palacios 20 (#34), Alejandro Villavicencio 45 (#72)

INDIA – Arin Ahuja 24 (#2,018), Rakshit Dahiya 18 (#349), Deepak Yadav 23 (#3,389)

INDONESIA – Randy Bintang 21 (#268), Asa Najib 24 (#277), Amadeus C. Susanto 22 (#362)

ITALY – Riccardo Fantinelli 21 (#163), Michele Ferrero 20 (#270), Filippo Ponzano 21 (#138)

JAPAN – Taishi Moto 20 (#104), Taisei Nagasaki 16 (#159), Rintaro Nakano 21 (#158)

MEXICO – Carlos Astiazaran 20 (#114), Gerardo Gomez 20 (#167), Eduardo Derbez 20 (#637)

MOROCCO – Adam Bresnu 21 (#86), Alexandre El Khomri 15 (#788), Hugo Mazen Trommetter 21 (#553)

NETHERLANDS – Guus Lafeber 17 (#289), Benjamin Reuter 22 (#90), Nevill Ruiter 23 (#265)

NEW ZEALAND – Cooper Moore 17 (#168), Zackary Swanwick 19 (#75), Robby Turnbull 18 (#306)

NORWAY – Emil Herstad 18 (#969), Michael Mjaaseth 22 (#21), Joachim Larsen 21 (#726),

PANAMA – Raul Carbonell 26 (#208), Miguel Ordoñez 41 (#410), Omar Tejeira 35 (#89)

PARAGUAY – Benjamin Fernandez 20 (#211), Franco Fernandez 18 (#629), Erich Fortlage 19 (#173)

SINGAPORE – Brayden Lee 18 (#305), Troy Storm 16 (#385), Hiroshi Tai 23 (#61)

SOUTH AFRICA – Charl Barnard 19 (#684), Daniel Bennett 20 (#24), Christiaan Maas 22 (#6)

SPAIN – Alejandro De C. Piera 20 (#112), Álvaro P. Roman 20 (#293), Sergio J. Romero 20 (#63)

SWEDEN – Alfons Bondesson 22 (#88), Simon Hovdal 20 (#197), Filip Fahlberg Johnsson 19 (#108)

THAILAND – Arsit Areephun 22 (#1,566), Pongsapak Laopakdee 20 (#56), Parin Sarasmut 17 (#212)

USA – Mason Howell 18 (#127), Preston Stout 21 (#4), Ethan Fang 20 (#3)

VIETNAM – Ho Anh Huy 15 (#334), Nguyen Anh Minh 18 (#42), Nguyen Duc Son 18 (#530)

ZIMBABWE – Darlington Chikanyambidze 19 (#715), Munesu Chimhini 14 (#611), Elton Zulu 26 (#816)

20 of the above listed players competed in the 2023 WATC at Abu Dhabi Golf Club in U.A.E.

Venue

The 2025 WATC is being played at Tanah Merah Country Club in Singapore.

Tanah Merah opened in 1984 and has two championship courses, the Garden Course and Tampines Course. The Tampines is being used this week.

The Club has staged many international events, including the Johnnie Walker Classic, Lexus Cup, HSBC Women’s Champions, the Asian Tour’s International Series Singapore (ISS) and the Hana Financial Group Singapore Women’s Open.

This week it will be set up to play to 7,394 yards and will have a par of 72.

Hole                1           2          3           4          5          6           7          8          9         Total
Par                  4           4          4           3          5           3          4          5          4           36
Yards            385       475      444      214       636      173      433       569      334       3663

Hole               10         11         12         13        14        15        16        17        18        Total
Par                 5            4            4          4          3          4           3          4         5           36
Yards            598       420      435       397      195       507       156      434      589      3,731

2023 WATC

USA (-36) won the 33rd Men’s World Amateur Team Championship by 11-shots at Abu Dhabi G.C. in U.A.E.

The team finished the event off in style compiling the low round of the Championship; a 132 (-12), helped in no small part by a 64 from David FORD, the second lowest round in the tournament’s history.

img_7011-1

Team USA – Nick Dunlap, David Ford & Gordon Sargent (Photo: IGF)

NORWAY and AUSTRALIA (-25) tied for 2nd place with FRANCE (-24) 4th and NEW ZEALAND and ITALY (-23) tied 5th. It was Norway’s best ever finish in their 26 appearances to date.

IRELAND (-20) finished strongly to rise 11 places on the final day and secure a tied 8th finish.

ENGLAND (-14) finished tied 15th, WALES (-13) tied 17th and SCOTLAND (-10) tied 21st.

32 of the 36 teams finished the 72 holes with an under par score.

img_7007

Team Results (Photo: IGF / Golf Genius)

Western Amateur champion Kazuma KOBORI (NZL) took the low Individual title with a 272 (-16) total. He rose eight places to secure the honour with a fine 65 (-7) in the final round.

Reigning U.S. Amateur champion Nick DUNLAP (USA) finished 2nd on -15 with France’s Bastien AMAT and Norway’s Herman WIBE SEKNE -14 one shot further back.

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Leading Individual Results (Photo: IGF / Golf Genius)

Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) -11 produced the best performance by a GB&I player finishing tied 8th.

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) -10 again impressed at the highest level with a very consistent performance to finish tied 14th.

Five other GB&I players finished under par for the Championship. Tyler WEAVER (ENG) -8 was tied 17th, Tomi BOWEN (WAL) -6 tied 30th, Alex MAGUIRE (IRL), who came through the standings with a final day 65, -5 tied 36th, Jack BIGHAM (ENG) -3 tied 43rd and Liam NOLAN (IRL) -2 tied 50th.

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GB&I Individual Results (Photo: IGF / Golf Genius)

Historic Results

GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND (GB&I) have won the Eisenhower Trophy four times but only SCOTLAND have won it in their own right since each of the home nations started to compete separately.

The competion holds a special place in the story of English amateur Peter MCEVOY. He participated in the winning GB&I team in 1988, he also ‘won’ the Individual (284) that year and he went on to captain the GB&I team that won it again in 1998. A hat trick of Eisenhower Trophy achievements that may prove difficult for anyone else to match.

Here are the historic Men’s WATC results: –

Future WATC Events

The International Golf Federation has confirmed the following future venues for the WATC: –

35th – 2027 – Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Morocco

36th – 2029 – Fontana G.C., Austria

ME.

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

U.S. Amateur Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

Posted on by

Sunday 17th August 2025

Mason HOWELL (USA) seeded #63 and WAGR ranked #362, beat Jackson HERRINGTON (USA) #37 and WAGR ranked #198, by 7&6 to win the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club.

Mason Howell (Photo: Chris Keane / USGA)

The Georgian became the third-youngest champion behind Byeong-Hun An and Danny Lee at 18 years, 1 month and 20 days old. In fact this was the youngest final in Championship history with Herrington only being 19.

Speaking after the trophy presentation he said “My name next to these other names on this trophy is unbelievable. To be next to somebody named Tiger, that’s an unreal feeling. It’s been such a great week here. Props to The Olympic Club as a world class venue. I felt like I always had it. It was self-belief. I knew it was in me. I just needed to walk with some confidence.”

Howell earned automatic selection to the USA Walker Cup team and exemptions into the 2026 Masters Invitational, U.S. Open Championship and Open Championship. Runner-up Herrington can also look forward to playing in The Masters and U.S Open next year.

In a one sided Final Howell took an early 4Up lead in the opening nine holes against an out of sorts Herrington and despite the magnitude of what he was looking to achieve showed few nerves in seeing out a comfortable victory over the 30 holes that the pair played.

Jackson Herrington v. Mason Howell – MP Final Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Click here to view the full – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship MP Results – use filter

Mason Howell and Jackson Herrington (Photo: Chris Keane / USGA)

Herrington was the first left-handed player to compete in the final of the U.S. Amateur since Phil Mickelson won the title in 1990 at Cherry Hills.

The 2026 U.S. Amateur Championship will be played at Merion G.C. in Pennsylvania from 10th-16th August with the nearby Philadelphia C.C. co-hosting the stroke play qualifying stage.

ME.

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Saturday 16th August 2025

Match Play Semi-Finals

Jackson HERRINGTON (USA) #37 birdied the 18th hole to win his Semi-Final against Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #49 at The Olympic Club.

Shiels Donegan won the opening two holes of the contest with pars to make a dream start. However, by the 7th he was 1 Down having bogeyed the 6th and seen Herrington respond to his own nervy start with birdies on the 3rd and 7th holes.

The match entered the back nine All Square after Herrington bogeyed the par 4 9th but Shiels Donegan bogeyed 10 and 11 to fall 2Down a lead Herrington would hold until the 16th. With victory in sight the American played the par 5 hole poorly, his bogey breathing new life into the well supported Scot who two putted for par. A birdie on 17, which he has achieved in every match play round, then saw Shiels Donegan draw level.

The two players played the 18th very well in the circumstances, both hitting the fairway and green in regulation. After Shiels Donegan left his tricky downhill 20 footer in the jaws Herrington stepped up and holed his six footer for victory.

Shiels Donegan’s supporters from nearby Mill Valley meant that Saturday’s Semi-Final round was the second-highest ever attended day on record for the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Reflecting on his week afterwards Shiels Donegan said “I’m only 20. Hopefully I’ve got a long career ahead of me and this is just one of the many building blocks along the journey that hopefully commences. I’m a good golfer and I can show up when I need to.”

Niall Shiels Donegan v. Jackson Herrington – MP Semi-Final Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

In the other Semi-Final 18-year-old Mason HOWELL (USA) beat 20-year-old Eric LEE (USA) by 3&2 in a confident display.

Match Play Semi-Final Results (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Both semi-final losers receive bronze medals and have earned exemptions into the next two U.S. Amateur Championships at Merion Golf Club and Oak Hill Country Club.

ME.

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Friday 15th August 2025

Match Play Quarter Finals

The Quarter Finals started at 1.30pm PDT (9.30pm BST) to allow for U.S. television coverage.

In a career best week Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #49 became the first GB&I player to reach the Semi-Finals of the U.S. Amateur Championship since Matt Fitzpatrick in 2013, the year he won it. In Match Play he has now beat four WAGR top 30 players in a row; Preston Stout #4 (Round of 16), Christian Maas (Round of 32) #9, Jacob Modleski (Quarterfinals) #15 and Luke Poulter (Round of 64) #28.

2 Down after eight holes, and then again after 12, against Jacob MODLESKI (USA) #56, the World No. 15 and the highest ranked player still competing, the US-based Scot again rose to the occasion down the stretch.

Playing in front of his Mill Valley fans who again made the 30 minute trip into San Francisco to support him in their numbers Shiels Donegan turned the game around with birdies on 13, 16 and 17 before a two-putt par on the 9th (19th hole) helped him claim another memorable victory.

“You’ve just got to stay so patient,” said Donegan, a rising junior at the University of North Carolina. “You can’t get ahead of yourself… one hole is its own event, and it’s just all about staying in the present, not thinking ahead. I feel like with this crowd, I know so many of them, it just feels very natural… I can’t thank them enough for being here. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment… It’s amazing they’re giving me so much support.”

Niall Shiels Donegan v. Jacob Modleski – MP Quarter Final Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Jackson HERRINGTON (USA), Mason HOWELL (USA) and Eric LEE (USA) joined Shiels Donegan in the Semi-Finals.

Match Play Quarter Final Results (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Here is a brief summary of the eight quarter finalists listed in order of their world amateur golf ranking: –

Jacob MODLESKI (USA), 20, WAGR #15
Miles RUSSELL (USA), 16, WAGR #16
Eric LEE (USA), 20, WAGR #29
Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (USA), 20, WAGR #91
John DALY II (USA), 22, WAGR #121
Jackson HERRINGTON (USA), 19, WAGR #198
Mason HOWELL (USA), 18, WAGR #362
Jimmy ABDO (USA), 19, WAGR #4292

Four of the quarter finalists Shiels Donegan, Modleski, Abdo and Howell all came through the 20-for-17 Stroke Play Qualifying play-off on Wednesday morning.

By reaching the Quarter Finals all eight players earned exemptions into the 126th U.S. Amateur, which will be played at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

ME.

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Thursday 14th August 2025

Match Play Round of 16

GB&I’s last man standing Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #49 secured his third consecutive 1 Hole victory in the Last 16. This time it was the turn of the Stroke Play Qualifying medalist Preston STOUT (USA) #1, WAGR No. 4 and an early selection for the 2025 USA Walker Cup team, to find the overall consistency and sound putting of Shiels Donegan too much to handle.

Stout played the tough opening holes well to take an early 2Up lead after four holes against Shiels Donegan. This lead didn’t last long though as pars on the 5th, 6th, 7th and 9th holes, with a birdie thrown in on the par 3 8th, enabled the Scot to win four of these five holes and to take his own 2Up lead. Stout then produced his own fight back, winning three holes in succession, the 11th-13th, helped by two birdies, to regain the lead 1Up. The Scot, who has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since he was three, is enjoying strong local support and rose to the challenge again. Birdies on 15 and 16 turned the match around for the fourth time with Shiels Donegan then able to par in for the win.

“Yeah, it’s amazing. Just trying to enjoy the moment right now and get ready for tomorrow,” said Shiels Donegan, who recently joined the University of North Carolina men’s golf team following two seasons with Northwestern. “I think I’ve done a really good job this week of controlling the adrenaline and using it only when I need to, just every shot refocusing, not getting ahead of myself, staying in the present.It’s hard sometimes when you’ve got – the crowd around this amphitheater of the 18th green, you’re shaking a little bit. Those were three putts that I’ve holed to win my matches on 18. It’s been great.”

Preston Stout v. Niall Shiels Donegan – MP Rd. of 16 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Miles RUSSELL(USA) and Eric LEE (USA) remain in the Championship but Max HERENDEEN (USA) and Daniel BENNETT (RSA) missed out on a Quarter Final place.

Match Play Last 16 Results (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Match Play Round of 32

The Round of 32 commenced at 8.00am PDT (4.00pm BST) at The Olympic Club with the two remaining GB&I players amongst the opening games.

An excellent performance from Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #49 saw him beat World No. 9 Christiaan MAAS (RSA) #17 by 1 Hole. In a game where neither player ever led by more than one hole it was the Scot who out lasted the hugely experienced South African. A nicely timed birdie on the par 5 17th helped Shiels Donegan back into the lead which he then saw out on the 18th.

Niall Shiels Donegan v. Christiaan Maas – MP Rd. of 32 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

It proved to be a game too far for Tyler WEAVER (ENG) #25 who got off to an awful start, 4 Down after five holes, and unable to win any holes eventually lost to Paul CHANG (CHN) #57, who is ranked 45th in the WAGR, by 6&5.

Paul Chang v. Tyler Weaver – MP Rd. of 32 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Amongst the favourites Medalist Preston STOUT (USA), Jacob MODLESKI (USA), Max HERENDEEN (USA), Daniel BENNETT (RSA), Miles RUSSELL(USA) and Eric LEE (USA) all successfully negotiated the Round of 32 in San Francisco.

In addition to Weaver the notable casualties at this stage were Ben JAMES (USA) and Jackson KOIVUN (USA), Jase SUMMY (USA) and Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER).

Here are the full Round of 32 results: –

Match Play Round of 32 Results (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

ME.

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Wednesday 13th August 2025

Match Play Round of 64

The Match Play Stage commenced at 9.00am PDT (5.00pm BST) on The Olympic Club’s Lake Course.

Having come through the play-off earlier in the day Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) #49 produced a grandstand finish to take out Luke POULTER (ENG) #16 in a competitive encounter. In a roller coaster match Poulter took the early advantage over the Lake Course’s difficult opening holes before Shiels Donegan won three holes in a row, helped by birdies on the 7th and 8th, to take a 1Up lead on the 9th. Pars by Poulter on 12 and 13 then saw him move into his own 1Up advantage which he held until the 17th. A badly timed bogey by the Florida-based Englishman opened the door to the local Scot who barged through it with a clutch match winning 6ft birdie on the closing hole.

Shiels Donegan said afterwards “I think that playoff this morning really helped me. It got me into the competitive mindset super early on, gave me a good prep. It’s amazing. I’m originally from Scotland but I’ve grown up for the past 17 years in Mill Valley which is like 30 minutes away. A bunch of friends and family from the local muni club have been getting me fired up.”

Luke Poulter v. Niall Shiels Donegan – MP Rd. of 64 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), seeded #25, took advantage of a poor start from Connor GRAHAM (SCO) #40, who bogeyed four of their opening six holes, to build an early 4Up lead. Graham fought back valiantly on the back nine reducing the deficit to just one hole after successive birdies on 15 and 16. However, Weaver birdied the par 5 17th to end any hopes of a memorable comeback and secure a 2&1 win.

Tyler Weaver v. Connor Graham – MP Rd. of 64 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

After a solid start Charlie FORSTER (ENG) #12 fell behind to Caleb BOND (USA); four bogeys between the 5th and 10th holes saw him tumble to a 3Down deficit. Forster made few mistakes thereafter but the damage had been done and he ultimately lost the game by 2&1.

Charlie Forster v. Caleb Bond – MP Rd. of 64 Scoreboard (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Medalist Preston STOUT (USA), Christiaan MAAS (RSA), Jacob MODLESKI (USA), Cameron TANKERSLEY (USA), Ben JAMES (USA), Jackson KOIVUN (USA), Max HERENDEEN (USA), Daniel BENNETT (RSA), Miles RUSSELL (USA), Jase SUMMY (USA), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Eric LEE (USA) were amongst the other Round of 64 winners as ‘the cream came to the top’ at The Olympic Club.

Here are the full Round of 64 results: –

Match Play Round of 64 Results (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Stroke Play Qualifying Play-Off

Due to early morning fog the 20 player for 17 spots play-off was moved from the Ocean Course (1st-3rd) to the Lake Course (9th-11th). It commenced at 7.30am PDT (3.30pm BST).

After a par and a birdie on the two holes that were required to conclude matters Niall SHIELS-DONEGAN (SCO) progressed with the 49th seeding.

Jack BIGHAM (ENG) bogeyed the first play-off hole and was therefore eliminated.

Click here to view the full – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Play-Off Results – use filter

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Tuesday 12th August 2025

Stroke Play Qualifying Round 2

Following the completion of the 36 hole Stroke Play Qualifying competition 312 players competitors became 67, and after a play-off tomorrow will become 64, in the 125th U.S. Amateur Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

Preston STOUT (USA), 21, earned medalist honours with a 132 (-8) total. With his Oklahoma State head coach Alan Bratton on the bag the recently selected USA Walker Cup player separated himself impressively from 2nd placed Tommy MORRISON (USA) -6, top-ranked junior Miles RUSSELL (USA) -4 in 3rd and Logan REILLY (USA) -3 in 4th.

Stout was understandably delighted to win the Stroke Play Qualifying. “I think it’s big. Obviously, it doesn’t mean you won the tournament, but I think it just gives me confidence going into match play that my game’s in a good spot, and yeah, I like where things are at. I love match play. I think it’s the best form of golf, and it’s super fun. I think one hole at time is big in match play, so I’ll be just trying to just take that mentally into it.”

Stroke Play Medalist Preston Stout (Photo: Chris Keane / USGA)

Daniel BENNETT (RSA), Daniel SVÄRD (SWE) and Charlie FORSTER (ENG), who all finished on 139 (-1), were the leading International qualifiers.

20 players tied for the last qualifying place on 143 (+3) and with only 17 spots in Match Play remaining a sudden death play-off will be required on Wednesday morning.

The average Round 2 score on the Lake Course was 74.750 (+4.750) and on the Ocean Course 73.530 (+3.530).

Stroke Play Qualifying Results – Top 10 (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Charlie FORSTER (ENG) -1 tied 8th, Luke POULTER (ENG) Ev tied 16th, Tyler WEAVER (ENG) +1 tied 23rd and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) +2 tied 33rd all advanced to the Match Play Stage.

Forster had an interesting second round on the Lake Course. He was 6-over after 13 holes before a hole-in-one on the 162 yard par 3 15th (with a 9-iron) and a birdie on the par 5 16th straightened his card out.

Jack BIGHAM (ENG) and Niall SHIELS-DONEGAN (SCO) +3 tied 48th will need to come through a 20-for-17 spots play-off on Wednesday morning to join them. Donegan birdied his final hole, the 9th on the Ocean Course, to keep his hopes of progressing alive.

Stroke Play Qualifying Results – GB&I Players (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

After the 36 holes of Stroke Play Qualifying is completed the leading 64 players will advance to the Match Play Stage.

Click here to view the full – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Leaderboard – use filter

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Monday 11th August 2025

Stroke Play Qualifying Round 1

Charlie FORSTER (ENG), 22, and Tommy MORRISON (USA), who was celebrating his 21st birthday, both recorded 4-under 66’s on the Ocean Course to take the Round 1 lead in the Stroke Play Qualifying.

Speaking after his round Forster said “In these sorts of events, it’s always nice to get off to a hot start. It’s nice playing in the Stroke Play but you’re really only trying to get through to the Match Play. So we just kind of kept it steady today, stuck to the game plan. We prioritized hitting the fairway more than getting down there and having a wedge in. I think that’s one of the keys around here — staying out of that rough. A few putts dropped, which was very nice.”

Jackson KOIVUN (USA), the WAGR No. 1, who has three top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour this summer, carded a 2-under 68 around The Ocean Course to finish the day tied 5th.

On a cloudy opening day the average Round 1 score on the Lake Course was 75.030 (+5.030) and on the Ocean Course 74.340 (+4.340) which is in line with their standings.

Stroke Play Qualifying Round 1 Scores – Top 10 (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

Jack BIGHAM (ENG) -1 (O) tied 11th, Luke POULTER (ENG) Ev (O) tied 21st, Tyler WEAVER (ENG) +1 (L) tied 38th and Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG) +2 (L) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) +2 (L), both tied 64th, are the GB&I players who will start Round 2 the right side of the top 64 Match Play cut line.

Stroke Play Qualifying Round 1 Scores – GB&I Players (Graphic: USGA / CISCO)

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9th August 2025

Following a late withdrawal from the Championship Tomi BOWEN (WAL) has accepted a call up from the USGA’s Alternate’s List to compete at the U.S. Amateur.

The bad news is Tomi played in the Men’s Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa last week which finished yesterday evening (Friday) so his preparation has obviously been compromised. With a flight to San Francisco to make he is unlikely to get to the course until Sunday at the earliest.

The good news is he played well in Lincolnshire winning three, halving one and losing only one of his five games so his game is in good shape. Additionally Tomi has been added to Connor Graham’s three-ball group who have a late tee time on Monday afternoon – 2.21pm PDT (10.21pm BST) on the Lake Course – which may also help a little.

His inclusion takes the number of GB&I  players up to 14 and the Welsh tally up to three; he joins Mike HEARNE (WAL) and Ieuan JONES (WAL) in the field.

ME.

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7th August 2025

Stroke Play Qualifying Tee Times

GB&I Player: Round 1 / Round 2
1 – 1st hole  /  10 – 10th hole /  L – Olympic Lake Course  /  O – Olympic Ocean Course
Time Difference – San Francisco, California PDT: BST – 8 hours

Luke POULTER (ENG):  10-O 7.10am / 1-L 12.45pm
Oliver CAGE (ENG): 1-L 7.41am / 10-O 12.36pm
Ieuan JONES (WAL): 1-O 7.52am / 9-L 1.07pm
Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO): 1-L 8.12am / 10-O 1.07pm
Charlie FORSTER (ENG): 10-O 8.34am / 1-L 2.09pm
Tyler WEAVER (ENG): 1-L 8.44am / 10-O 1.39pm
Mike HEARNE (WAL): 1-O 8.55am / 9-L 2.10pm
Jack BIGHAM (ENG): 10-O 8.55am / 1-L 2.30pm
Cameron ADAM (SCO): 1-O 9.06am / 9-L 2.21pm
Matt MCCLEAN (IRL): 1-L 9.15am / 10-O 2.10pm
Daniel HAYES (ENG): 1-O 1.07pm / 9-L 7.52am
Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG): 9-L 1.39pm / 1-O 8.24am
Connor GRAHAM (SCO): 9-L 2.21pm / 1-O 9.06am
Tomi BOWEN (WAL): 9-L 2.21pm / 1-O 9.06am

Click here to view the full – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship SP Qualifying Tee Times

ME.

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5th August 2025

Introduction

The 125th U.S. Amateur Championship is being played at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, California on 11th-17th August 2025.

Administered by the United States Golf Association (USGA) the U.S. Amateur is the most important and prestigious individual competition in the amateur golf calendar.

I will be updating this preview article as more information comes to light and providing daily reports once play starts.

2025 Field

5,245 entries were received by the USGA for this year’s Championship.

312 players from 30 different countries will be competing. 143 were exempt with the remaining 169 coming through qualifying.

The youngest competitor is Aston LIM (USA), 15, and the oldest are Louis BROWN (USA) and Greg SANDERS (USA) who are both 61. The average age of the field is 23 years and 135 days.

47 of the top 50 in the Men’s WAGR are in the field.

Exemptions are granted based on past performances in previous amateur championships, selection for the Walker Cup teams and World Amateur Golf Rankings.

46 Local Qualifying events, all played over 18 holes, were staged between 3rd June and 3rd July before 19 Final Qualifying competitions, again over 18 holes, took place between 15th-31st July.

Click here to view the – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship Local & Final Qualifying Results

14 Great British & Irish (GB&I) players are competing in 2025: –

Cameron ADAM (SCO) – Exemption: WAGR Top 100 May 2025
Jack BIGHAM (ENG) – Exemption: Walker Cup GB&I Team 2023 / WAGR Top 100 May 2025
Tomi BOWEN (WAL) – Qualifier: Sara Bay C.C. July 2025 (Alternate #1)
Oliver CAGE (ENG) – Exemption: Sun County G.A. Amateur champion 2025
Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG) – Exemption: WAGR Top 100 June 2025
Charlie FORSTER (ENG) – Exemption: WAGR Top 100 May 2025
Connor GRAHAM (SCO) – Exemption: Walker Cup GB&I Team 2023 / WAGR Top 100 May 2025
Daniel HAYES (ENG) – Qualifier: Rockwall G&AC, Texas July 2025
Mike HEARNE (WAL) – Qualifier: Rockwall G&AC, Texas July 2025
Ieuan JONES (WAL) – Qualifier: Ohio State University GC, Ohio July 2025
Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) – Exemption: Walker Cup GB&I Team 2023
Luke POULTER (ENG) – Exemption: WAGR Top 100 June 2025
Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO) – Exemption: WAGR Top 100 June 2025
Tyler WEAVER (ENG) – Exemption: U.S. Open Qualifier 2025 / WAGR Top 100 May 2025

Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) held an exemption via his WAGR ranking but has chosen to play in the Home Internationals at Woodhall Spa this week. Having already secured his GB&I Walker Cup selection via his WAGR on 6th August Top 100 he obviously feels he doesn’t need to play.

This is an historically high number of GB&I players. There were 10 at Hazeltine National in 2024, 8 at Cherry Hills in 2023, 9 at Ridgewood in 2022, 5 at Oakmont in 2021, 11 at Bandon Dunes in 2020, 11 at Pinehurst in 2019, 7 at Pebble Beach in 2018, 9 at Riviera in 2017 and 11 at Oakland Hills in 2016.

Format / Schedule

36-holes of stroke play (SP) will determine the top 64 match play (MP) qualifiers. Ties for the last qualifying place will be resolved by a sudden death play-off.

Six 18 hole MP rounds will then be played culminating in a 36-hole Championship Final. Extra holes will be played to resolve any halved games.

Monday 11th August – SP Qualifying Round 1 (Lake and Ocean – 18 holes)
Tuesday 12th August – SP Qualifying Round 2 (Lake and Ocean – 18 holes)
Wednesday 13th August – SP Qualifying Play-Off / MP Round of 64 (Lake – 18 holes)
Thursday 14th August – MP Rounds of 32 and 16 (Lake – 18 holes)
Friday 15th August – MP Quarter Finals (Lake – 18 holes)
Saturday 16th August – MP Semi-Finals (Lake – 18 holes)
Sunday 17th August – MP Championship Final (Lake – 36 holes)

Host Courses

The Championship is being played on the Lake and Ocean Courses at The Olympic Club.

3rd Hole, Lake Course, The Olympic Club (Photo: USGA / Fred Vuich)

Lake Course – stroke play and match play
7,185 yards / Par 70 / Course Rating 75.8 / Slope 141

Opened in 1924.
Originally designed by Willie Watson with subsequent renovations by Sam Whiting (1927), Robert Trent Jones Sr. (1955), Bill Love (2010s) and Gil Hanse (2023).
It has previously hosted the U.S. Open in 1955, 1966, 1987, 1998 and 2012, U.S. Women’s Open in 2021 and the U.S. Amateur in 1958, 1981 and 2007.

Ocean Course – stroke play co-host
6,825 yards / Par 70 / Course Rating 74.3 / Slope 133

Opened in 1924.
Designed by Willie Watson with more recent renovations by Tom Weiskopf (2000) and Bill Love (2012).

Weather Forecast (as at 10th August 2024)

The weather forecast looks good for the whole Championship week with sunny conditions. The winds rise during the day here and are likely to peak in the high teens in the mid-afternoon.

Stroke Play Qualifying
Mon 11th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 18mph NW / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 23°C.
Tues 12th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 18mph NW / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 22°C.

Match Play Stage
Weds 13th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 18mph NW / Temp. Min. 15°C, Max. 21°C.
Thurs 14th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 20mph NW  / Temp. Min. 13°C, Max. 20°C.
Fri 15th August – Sunny / Wind 22mph NW  / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 20°C.
Sat 16th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 20mph NW / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 20°C.
Sun 17th August – Sunny Intervals / Wind 19mph NW / Temp. Min. 14°C, Max. 21°C.

Prizes

The 2025 U.S. Amateur champion will receive the following: –

a) A gold medal and custody of the Havemeyer Trophy for the following year;

b) Automatic selection to the 2026 USA Walker Cup squad (if applicable);
c) An exemption to play in the 2026 U.S. Open which is being staged at Shinnecock Hills C.C.;
and assuming they remain amateur,
d) An invitation to play in the 2026 Masters at Augusta National G.C.;
e) An exemption to play in the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale G.C.;
f) An exemption to play in the 2026-2035 U.S. Amateur Championships;

and unofficially

g) Various invitations to play in PGA Tour and DP World Tour events.

A Silver Medal is awarded to the runner-up and Bronze Medals to the two losing semi-finalists.

A Silver Medal is also awarded to the stroke play medalist(s).

The original silver Havemeyer Trophy was presented to the U.S.G.A. on March 1895 in honour of the Association’s first President Theodore A. Havemeyer. This was lost in a fire at Bobby Jones’ home club, East Lake, in 1925.

A new gold trophy was produced in 1926. This was retired in 1992 with a copy of the trophy being produced and passed from champion to champion ever since. Sadly the original gold trophy was stolen from the U.S.G.A. Museum in 2012 and has never been seen since.

US Amateur Information

Click here to view the – 2025 U.S. Amateur Championship Official Website

Spectators / Television Coverage

Some highlights of the SP Qualifying will be shown on the USGA website and social media channels.

In the USA Peacock and Golf Channel will be covering the MP stage.

In the UK Sky Sports Golf normally takes the U.S. television feed, via the Red Button, over the final match play weekend.

2024 U.S. Amateur Championship

Jose Luis BALLESTER (ESP) won the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota on his 21st birthday. He became the first Spanish champion.

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Jose Luis Ballester with the Havemeyer Trophy (Photo: Chris Keane / USGA)

He beat Noah KENT (USA), who was 19 at the time, by 2 Holes in the 36 hole Championship match.

The best GB&I performances came from Calum SCOTT (SCO) and James ASHFIELD (WAL). They both  advanced from Stroke Play Qualifying before losing in the Match Play Round of 32 (2nd Round). Scott to Omar MORALES (MEX) by 3&2 and Ashfield to Phichaksn MAICHON (THA) by 4&2.

Click here to view the – 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship Match Play Results

39 year old Floridian Jimmy ELLIS (USA) was the surprise medalist in the Stroke Play Qualifying with a 132 (-10) total.

The leading 64 player match play cut fell at 142 (Ev) with a 14-for-11 play-off required to set the Match Play field.

James ASHFIELD (WAL) and Calum SCOTT (SCO) both qualified in tied 32nd place with 141 (-1) scores. As the USGA adopts a blind draw to resolve ties they were eventually seeded 15 places apart.

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GB&I Stroke Play Qualifying Results (Graphic: USGA)

Click here to view the – 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifying Results

U.S. Amateur Championship History

The U.S. Amateur is the oldest golf championship in America and 2024 will see its 124th playing.

It was first played in 1895, the winner being Charles B. Macdonald.

It has always been decided by match play save for an 8 year period between 1965 and 1972 when the winner was determined solely by stroke play.

Former U.S. winners include Walter Travis (1900-01-03), Jerome Travers (1907-08-12-13), Bobby Jones (1924-25-27-28-30), Francis Ouimet (1914-31), W. Lawson Little (1934-35) Arnold Palmer (1954), Jack Nicklaus (1959-61), Deane Beman (1960-63), Lanny Wadkins (1970), Craig Stadler (1973), Mark O’Meara (1979), Hal Sutton (1980), Phil Mickelson (1990), Justin Leonard (1992), Tiger Woods (1994-95-96), Matt Kucher (1997), Ryan Moore (2004) and Bryson DeChambeau (2015).

The last five winners, 2024-2019, have been Jose Ballester (ESP), Nick Dunlap (USA), Sam Bennett (USA), James Piot (USA) and Tyler Strafaci (USA).

British players have won the Championship on six occasions but just twice in the last 100 years – H.J. Whigham (1896-97), Findlay Douglas (1898), Harold Hilton (1911), Richie Ramsay (2006) and Matthew Fitzpatrick (2013).

Matthew Fitzpatrick (Photo: USGA)

Italy’s Edoardo Molinari (2005) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (2018) are the only players from the Continent of Europe to have lifted the Havemeyer Trophy.

Click here to view the full list of past – U.S. Amateur Champions

Future U.S. Amateur Venues

For reasons I have never understood the USGA continue to allocate their Championship venues far out into the future: –

126th – 10-16 August 2026 – Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pennsylvania
127th – 9-15 August 2027 – Oak Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York
128th – TBD   August 2028 – Whistling Straits Golf Club, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
129th – 13-19 August 2029 – Inverness Club, Toledo, Ohio
130th – 12-18 August 2030 – Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia
131st – 11-17 August 2031 – Honors Course, Ooltewah, Tennessee
132nd – 9-15 August 2032 – Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon
133rd – 15-21 August 2033 – Chambers Bay, University Place, Washington
134th – TBD August 2034 – The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts
135th – TBD August 2025 – Erin Hills, Erin, Wisconsin
136th – TBD August 2036 – Scioto Country Club, Upper Arlington, Ohio
137th – TBD
138th – TBD August 2038 – Pinehurst Resort No. 2, Pinehurst, North Carolina
139th – TBD
140th – TBD
141st – TBD August 2041 – Bandon Dunes, Bandon, Oregon
142nd – TBD August 2042 – Ridgewood Country Club, Paramus, New Jersey
147th – TBD August 2047 – Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
151st – TBD August 2051 – Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

ME.

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

The St. Andrews Trophy – 2025 Preview & Results

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Friday 25th July 2025

Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) won The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match against Continent of Europe by 16.5-8.5 points at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

GB&I now have 27 wins in the 35 matches played with Europe having seven and there being one tie in 2016.

Only requiring 1.5 points from the nine Singles played in the final session Tyler WEAVER (ENG) and Luke POULTER (ENG) wasted no time in securing victory for GB&I with wins in the opening two games.

Commenting afterwards an elated GB&I captain Dean Robertson said “The team produced phenomenal golf. To win all four series was more than my expectations. The teamwork was magical, preparation great and I couldn’t be more proud of them all. We’ll enjoy this, reflect, and then we’ll build on this for our trip across the Atlantic.”

The GB&I Team (Photo: Aitor Alcalde / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) was the star man for GB&I winning all four of his games. Luke POULTER (ENG), Eliot BAKER (ENG) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG) also strongly contributed to GB&I’s victory.

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) all won both of their singles, putting up the most resistance for a well beaten Continent of Europe team.

Click here to view the – 2025 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Day 2 PM Singles

GB&I ensured they would win all four sessions by taking the Day 2 afternoon Singles series 5.0-4.0.

Play commenced at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with all nine players on both sides competing.

Day 2 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) maintained his unbeaten record in this year’s match with a comprehensive 6&5 victory over Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who handed the initiative to Weaver early on and was simply not in the form to ever recover it.

Weaver v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A victorious Luke POULTER (ENG) and Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) halved both par 5’s on the back nine with eagles. On the 18th Poulter holed a long bunker shot to follow Sveinsson in after he had holed a mammoth put before him.

Poulter v. SveinssonScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), who is one of the few European players who can leave Spain with his head held high, beat the previously unbeaten Connor GRAHAM (SCO) in some style in Game 3 with another solid performance.

Graham v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Hugo LE GOFF (FRA), who had trailed for most of the round, chose the optimum time to take the lead – the 18th green – as he robbed Charlie FORSTER (ENG) of a first singles win.

Forster v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Norway’s Claes Thrane BORREGAARD took advantage of a poor start by Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and despite a valiant fight back by the Gog Magog member was able to hold on for a 1 Hole victory. Borregaard’s three consecutive birdies on 13, 14 and 15 proved crucial in the end.

Clemons v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Eliot BAKER (ENG) battled impressively to secure his win against home player Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO. Birdies on the 16th and 18th holes enabled the Devonian to complete an unbeaten record and notably deliver two singles wins.

Baker v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) ensured every member of the GB&I team won a game in this year’s St. Andrews Trophy match with a solid 3&2 win against Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). Tiernan led from the first hole and never looked like relinquishing his point throughout.

Tiernan v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A more consistent Richard TEDER (EST), determined to secure his first win over the match, got the better of Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 2&1 in Game 8.

Grehan v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) completed a four-out-of-four win record for GB&I with an error free performance against Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) who will be rueing his play around the turn where he essentially handed the win to the in-form Scotsman.

Adam v. Hjort Bressum Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 2 AM Foursomes

GB&I matched their Foursomes performance of yesterday winning the Day 2 series 3.5-0.5.

Trailing 11.5-4.5 after this session any hope Continent of Europe had of retaining the trophy they won with ease last year at Royal Porthcawl was effectively ended.

Play on Friday started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro on the outskirts of Madrid.

GB&I captain Dean Robertson understandably made no changes to his successful Day 1 pairings with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) again left out.

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) was dropped by captain Carlos de Corral from the Continent of Europe’s Foursomes line up. De Corral also chose to tweak his pairings with Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) joining Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) and new-boy Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) paired with Hugo LE GOFF (FRA).

Day 2 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) finally overcame Gunnlauger Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) on the 18th hole in what was generally a high class match with plenty of birdies.

Weaver & Graham v. Jakubčík & Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A strong finish from Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) & Richard TEDER (EST) nearly helped them successfully turnaround their game against Luke POULTER & Charlie FORSTER but the English pair were able to salvage a good half with a crucial birdie on the par 5 18th.

Poulter & Forster v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Six birdies from Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Stuart GREHAN (IRL) ensured they won Game 3 against Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) & Alfons BONDESSON (SWE) by 2 Holes albeit the final one on the 18th was much needed to close this one out.

Baker & Grehan v. Le Goff & Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) beat the out of sorts Danish pairing of Kristian HJORT BRESSUM & Claes THRANE BORREGAARD in the final morning game. Whilst Adam & Clemons were unable to match the closing birdie that the three GB&I pairings all achieved ahead of them they had already done enough to earn the final Foursomes point.

Adam & Clemons v. Hjort Bressum & Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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Thursday 24th July 2025

Day 1 PM Singles

GB&I extended their lead to four points after winning the Day 1 afternoon Singles series 4.5-3.5.

Play started at 1.30pm CEST (12.30am BST) with Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Kristian HJORT BRESSUM (DEN) left out of the GB&I and Continent of Europe Singles line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Singles Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tyler WEAVER (ENG), who was 4Up with eight holes to play, will be disappointed not to have brought home a full point for GB&I in his game against debutant Alfons BONDESSON (SWE). To his credit Bondesson fought back well and was able to to take advantage of some poor play on the back nine from the Englishman.

Weaver v. Bondesson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

After a slow start Luke POULTER (ENG) produced six birdies to overcome European Amateur champion Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) who had an up-and-down day in Madrid. This was Poulter’s second point of the day and the Florida Gator is certainly making a positive impression.

Poulter v. Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) proved to be too good for Spain’s Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO in Game 3. The Texas Tech rising sophomore strung five birdies together on the front nine to take control of this encounter and despite a few hiccups coming home secured a solid 3&1 win.

Graham v. Jimenez Romero Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

France’s Hugo LE GOFF, winner of the 2025 Lytham Trophy, is a quality player and far from the ideal opponent for Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) to be drawn against on his GB&I debut. Le Goff was four under par with no bogeys recorded for the 17 holes he required to complete a 2&1 win for the Continent’s first win of the afternoon.

Tiernan v. Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Three birdies in a row from the 12th helped Eliot BAKER (ENG) run out a 4&3 winner against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) who was far to inconsistent in his play to gain any momentum in this particular game.

Baker v. Sveinsson Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Claes THRANE BORREGAARD (DEN) edged a close match against Charlie FORSTER (ENG) with a clutch birdie on the par 5 18th.

Foster v. Borregaard Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) enjoyed a fast start to his match against Richard TEDER (EST) with four birdies in their opening six holes. Playing with confidence after his great summer the Northwestern man secured a comfortable 4&3 win.

Adam v. Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) posted an eagle and three birdies in an error free performance that saw him overcome re-instated amateur Stuart GREHAN (IRL) by 3&2 in the final game of the day.

Grehan v. Wiedemeyer Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Day 1 AM Foursomes

GB&I made a good start to The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match winning the morning Foursomes series 3.5-0.5 in Madrid, Spain.

Play started at 8.30am CEST (7.30am BST) at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro with Gavin TIERNAN (IRL) and Alfons BONDESSON (ESP) left out of the Foursomes line-ups by the two captains, Dean Robertson and Carlos de Corral.

Day 1 Foursomes Results (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

The strong pairing of Tyler WEAVER (ENG) & Connor GRAHAM (SCO) delivered a 2&1 win for GB&I against Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO (ESP) & Filip JACUBČÍK (CZH) in Game 1. Having taken a 3Up lead after seven holes the Anglo-Scottish pair saw the match out with relative ease.

Weaver & Graham v. Jimenez Romero & Jakubčík Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Luke POULTER (ENG) & Charlie FORSTER (ENG) delivered six birdies on route to a 2&1 victory against Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON (ISL) & Hugo LE GOFF (FRA) who did little wrong in a competitive encounter.

Poulter & Forster v. Sveinsson & Le Goff Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

A poor finish from Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Eliot BAKER (ENG), where they dropped two shots in the closing three holes and most importantly a critical one on the par 5 18th, handed a half to the Danish pair Claes THRANE BORREGAARD & Kristian HJORT BRESSUM in Game 3.

Grehan & Baker & Borregaard & BressumScoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) made up for GB&I’s disappointment in the preceeding game by producing a superb birdie on the 18th hole to secure a 1 Hole win against Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) and Richard TEDER (EST) who fought back well from a sloppy front nine.

Adam & Clemons v. Wiedemeyer & Teder Scoreboard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

ME.

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22nd July 2025

The 35th St. Andrews Trophy match will be contested on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July at Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid, Spain.

This amateur men’s team match has been played biennially between Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) and the Continent of Europe since 1956.

It was originally established by The R&A to give more European players the chance to play at the highest level and GB&I players more team match play experience for the Walker Cup which is held in alternate years with this competition.

Due to changes being made to the international golf calendar the 2025 match unusually takes place only a year after the last one and in the same year as the Walker Cup.

The St. Andrews Trophy was put forward for the match by the Royal and Ancient G.C. of St. Andrews in 1963.

2025 Teams

Each team has nine players.

The golfing calendar is extremely busy at this time of year and therefore player availability can be impacted by other opportunities. Recent history shows that this is a particular issue on the Continent of Europe’s side albeit this year they appear to have a strong side out.

Great Britain & Ireland Team

The R&A Selection Committee, including Captain Dean Robertson (Scotland), 55, announced their nine man team on 4th July.

With the Walker Cup match coming up in September Robertson, who is Head of Golf at the University of Stirling, will be looking for a victory to instil some confidence in his team as well as increasing the chances of him remaining in post beyond the match in Cypress Point.

GB&I’s 2025 team will consist of six new and three returning players.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Cameron ADAM (21) – Scotland, #29, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

Eliot BAKER (22) – England, #121, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Dominic CLEMONS (23) – England, #44, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Charlie FORSTER (22) – England, #57, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Connor GRAHAM (18) – Scotland, #40, WAGR Top 5 (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Stuart GREHAN (32) – Ireland, #627, Captain’s Pick (2nd Appearance, 2016, ’25)

Luke POULTER (21) – England, #41, Captain’s Pick* (Debut, 2025)

Gavin TIERNAN (19) – Ireland, #583, Captain’s Pick (Debut, 2025)

Tyler WEAVER (20) – England, #14, WAGR Top 5 (Debut, 2025)

* Luke Poulter was the 5th highest ranked GB&I player on WAGR on 2nd July 2025 but did not meet the minimum divisor of 18 proviso so this selection spot was transferred over to an additional Captain’s pick.

Three GB&I players in the WAGR Top 100 were not selected, namely, Jack BIGHAM (England) #54. Matthew DODD-BERRY (England) #96 and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (Scotland) #97.

Great Britain & Ireland Team (Graphic: RFEG)

Continent of Europe

Carlos de Corral (Spain), 45, took over the captaincy of the Continent of Europe team in 2024, winning his first game in charge at Royal Porthcawl.

De Corral is a very experienced team captain leading Spanish teams on numerous occasions. He is the Sports Director at the Madrid Golf Federation and will be very well versed on the host course.

His team was announced by the European Golf Association (EGA) on 24th June (six players in First Wave) and 17th July (three players after the European Amateur Championship).

Like GB&I, Europe’s team will consist of six new and three returning players this year.

Each player’s nationality, current WAGR, selection route and event history is shown below.

Alfons BONDESSON – Sweden, #90, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Kristian HJORT BRESSUM – Denmark, #71, Second Wave (Debut, 2025)

Filip JACUBČÍK– Czech Republic, #6, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Sergio JIMENEZ ROMERO – Spain, #74, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Hugo LE GOFF – France, #55, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Gunnlaugur Arni SVEINSSON – Iceland, #15, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Richard TEDER – Estonia, #80, Second Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

Claes Thrane BORREGAARD – Denmark, #95, First Wave (Debut, 2025)

Tim WIEDEMEYER – Germany, #35, First Wave (2nd Appearance, 2024, ’25)

The leading European players, according to WAGR Top 100, who are not playing this year are Michael MJAASETH (Denmark) #23, Daniel SVARD (Sweden) #52, Peer WERNICKE (Germany) #63, Benjamin REUTER (Netherlands) #65, Wolfgang GLAWE (GER) #67 and Lev GRINBERG (Ukraine) #91.

It is perhaps a little surprising that no Italians have been selected given that their 6-man team won the European Men’s Amateur Team Championship two weeks ago in Killarney, beating Denmark in the Final.

Continent of Europe Team (Photo: RFEG)

Match Format 

The St. Andrews Trophy is played over two days and consists of a number of match play foursomes and singles games.

Thursday 25th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Thursday 25th July PM – Singles x 8
Friday 26th July AM – Foursomes x 4
Friday 26th July PM – Singles x 9

The additional Singles game on Day 2 was introduced in 2016.

With a maximum total of 25 points available and one point awarded for each match a team will be required to accumulate 13 points to secure an outright victory.

As the holders Continent of Europe can retain the Trophy by reaching 12.5 points.

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The St. Andrews Trophy (Photo: Suomen Golfliitto / Finnish Golf Union)

Venue – Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro

Founded in 1895 Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro is one of Spain’s most prestigious clubs and has hosted many national and international amateur and professional tournaments over the years.

It has hosted the Spanish Open 15 times and the Madrid Open 26 times.

The Club has also hosted the Eisenhower Trophy, the Bonallack Trophy, the European Amateur Championship and the European Mid-Amateur Championship. The latter event in 2017 was won by the Continent of Europe’s team captain Carlos de Corral.

The Club enjoys two 18 holes, The Arriba (Upper) and The Abajo (Lower), both laid out on rolling tree lined terrain. The Arriba, which is being used this week, is generally considered the weaker of the two course. It plays to around 7,042 yards and a par of 72.

This will be the first time that the St. Andrews Trophy match has been played in Spain since 1990 when GB&I won at El Saler.

Weather Forecast – as at 3.00pm on Tuesday 22nd July 2025

The weather forecast for Madrid looks excellent this week: –

Thur 24th July – Sunny. Wind 13mph NE. Temp. Max. 15°C / Min. 30°C.
Fri 25th July – Sunny. Wind 11mph NE. Temp. Max. 16°C / Min. 30°C.

2024 Match – Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, Wales

Continent of Europe won the 34th St. Andrews Trophy match against Great Britain & Ireland (GB&I) at Royal Porthcawl G.C. by 16.0-9.0.

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Continent of Europe (Photo: Cameron Smith / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

It was Europe’s sixth win in total, only their second away victory and their biggest ever surpassing their 15.5-9.5 triumph in Finland in 2018.

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) from the Continent of Europe was the only player to complete a 100% 4-from-4 record over the two days. His compatriot Pablo EREÑO PÉREZ was also undefeated, winning all three of the games he was selected for.

GB&I’s Dominic CLEMONS (ENG) and Connor GRAHAM (SCO) won both of their Singles and finished the match with three wins in total.

Click here to view the – 2024 St. Andrews Trophy Match Results

Past Results

In the 34 encounters to date GB&I have won the St. Andrews Trophy 26 times.

Europe have seven wins to their name albeit four of them have come recently in 2010, 2012, 2018 and 2024.

The match in 2016 was tied for the first time  with GB&I, who were the trophy holders, retaining the trophy.

Click here to view a summary of the – Historic St. Andrews Trophy Results

ME.

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

The Amateurs At The 2025 Open Championship

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Sunday 20th July 2025

Scottie SCHEFFLER  (USA) won the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush G.C. with a 267 (-17) total.

No low amateur Silver Medal was awarded this year as none of the nine amateurs made the cut.

ME.

Friday 18th July 2025

Round 2

None of the nine amateurs made the cut at the 153rd Open Championship meaning that the Silver Medal will again not been awarded at Royal Portrush. In 2019 none of the six amateurs were able to advance to the weekend rounds. 2019 was the last time the medal wasn’t awarded.

The best of the amateurs were Ethan FANG (USA) and Cameron ADAM (SCO) who both finished on 145 (+3), albeit Adam may feel the most aggrieved to miss out. After all he bogeyed his two final holes where as Fang finished his second round with a birdie.

As in 2019 the top 70 and ties 36 hole cut fell at 143 (+1). Exactly 70 players from 22 different countries progressed.

World No. 1 Scottie SCHEFFLER (USA) -10 leads Matt FITZPATRICK (ENG) -9 and Brian HARMAN (USA) & Haotong LI (CHN) -8 at the half-way stage. Scheffler’s 132 (-10) total is a new record for the first 36-holes of an Open played at Royal Portrush.

The average score in Round 2 was 72.224 (+1.224), lower than Round 1’s 73.038 (+2.038).

Round 2 Amateur Scoreboard (Graphic: PGA Tour & The Open / NTT DATA)

Click here to view the – 2025 Open Championship Leaderboard

ME.

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Thursday 17th July 2025

Round 1

Scottish pair Connor GRAHAM and Cameron ADAM were the best of the amateurs on Day 1 of The Open Championship after they both recorded 73’s (+2), finishing the opening round tied for 72nd at Royal Portrush G.C.

Justin HASTINGS (CAY) and Richard TEDER (EST) are 1-shot further back in tied 98th with European Amateur and Amateur champions, Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) and Ethan FANG (USA), tied 116th on +4.

2024 Amateur champion Jacob SKOV OLESEN (DEN), Haotong LI (CHN), Matt FITZPATRICK (ENG), Christiaan BEZUIDENHOUT (RSA) and Harris ENGLISH (USA) all shot 67’s to share the Round 1 lead on -4.

The average Round 1 score was 73.038 (+2.038).

Round 1 Amateur Scoreboard (Graphic: The Open / NTT DATA)

ME.

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Tuesday 15th July 2025

Round 1 & 2 Tee Times (BST)

The tee times for the two opening rounds were released on Tuesday afternoon: –

6.57am / 11.58am – Cameron SMITH (AUS) / Marco PENGE (ENG) / Justin HASTINGS (CAY)

8.36am / 1.37pm – Thorbjorn OLESEN (DEN) / Matthew JORDAN (ENG) / Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH)

9.14am / 2.15pm – Takumi KANAYA (JAP) / Justin WALTERS (RSA) / Bryan NEWMAN (RSA)

10.42am / 3.43pm – Matti SCHMID (GER) / Ryggs JOHNSTON (USA) / Richard TEDER (EST)

11.47am / 6.46am – Francesco MOLINARI (ITA) / Jesper SVENSSON (SWE) / Connor GRAHAM (SCO)

12.09pm / 7.08am – Adam SCOTT (AUS) / Rickie FOWLER (USA) / Ethan FANG (USA)

12.53pm / 7.52am – Si Woo KIM (KOR) / Shugo IMAHIRA (JAP) / Seb CAVE (ENG)

3.43pm / 10.42am – Brian CAMPBELL (USA) / John CATLIN (USA) / Frazer JONES (ENG)

3.54pm / 10.53am – Nathan KIMSEY (ENG) / Jason KOLRAK (USA) / Cameron ADAM (SCO)

Click here to view all of the – Round 1 & 2 Tee Times

ME.

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14th July 2025

Introduction

156 players from 31 countries will contest the 153rd Open Championship which will be played at Royal Portrush G.C. in Northern Ireland on 17-20 July 2025.

The course will play to 7,381 yards, the fifth longest in Open history, and a par of 71.

The competition will be decided by stroke play over 72 holes. An aggregate play-off will be used to break any ties for 1st place.

The 70 lowest scores over the first 36 holes, and ties for 70th place, will advance to the final two rounds over the weekend.

The Silver Medal is awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes.

Amateurs In The Field

Nine amateurs are competing, all of them amongst the 37 debutants, having earned exemptions or come through qualifying: –

Cameron ADAM (SCO, 22, d.o.b. 6th July 2003, WAGR 29) – 2025 Open Amateur Series Winner*
Caddie – Sam Chien (Assistant Coach, Northwestern University)

Seb CAVE (ENG, 21, d.o.b. 10th June 2004, WAGR 120) – FQ at Royal Cinque Ports
Caddie – Alex Cave (Father)

Ethan FANG (USA, 20, d.o.b. 6th May 2005, WAGR 4) – 2025 Amateur Champion
Caddie – Will Livermore (Childhood Friend)

Connor GRAHAM (SCO, 18, d.o.b. 24th October 2006, WAGR 39) – FQ at Dundonald Links 
Caddie – Fintan Bonner (Senior Instructor, St. Andrews Links)

Justin HASTINGS (CAY, 21, d.o.b. 18th September 2003, WAGR 12) – 2025 Latin Am Amateur Champion
Caddie – Tom Ridley (Professional Caddie)

Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH, 21, d.o.b. 22nd November 2003, WAGR 7) – 2025 European Amateur Champion
Caddie – Matt Walton (Head Coach, University of Arizona)

Frazer JONES (ENG, 20, d.o.b. 13th July 2005, WAGR 976) – RQ at Lindrick / FQ at Burnham & Berrow
Caddie – Andy Jones (Father)

Bryan NEWMAN (RSA, 17, d.o.b. 20th December 2007, WAGR 635) – 2025 African Amateur Champion
Caddie – Will Beatty (Royal Portrush Member / Amateur Golfer)

Richard TEDER (EST, 20, d.o.b. 29th November 2004, WAGR 94) – FQ at West Lancashire
Caddie – Daniel Moss Silva (Estonian Team Coach)

*The Open Championship Amateur Series was introduced by The R&A in 2023. It offers an exemption to the player who gains the most WAGR points in the St. Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship events (as long as they didn’t win the Amateur or European Amateur Championships which meant they were already exempt).

The 2025 Amateur Competitors (Photo: The Open)

Filip Jakubčík and Richard Teder will become the first golfers from Czech Republic and Estonia to play in The Open.

Six amateurs competed in the 2019 Open at Royal Portrush, none making the cut.

In total seven winners of The Amateur Championship are competing this week. In addition to Ethan Fang (2025) there is Sergio Garcia (1998), Julien Guerrier (2006), Matteo Manassero (2009), Romain Langasque (2015), Aldrich Potgieter (2022) and Jacob Skov Olesen (2024).

Low Amateur Silver Medal

Since 1949 the Silver Medal has been awarded to the leading amateur in The Open Championship who completes 72 holes. Bronze Medals are awarded to all other amateurs who complete 72 holes.

The Open has been staged at Royal Portrush twice previously, in 1951 and 2019.

Frank Stranahan USA won the Silver Medal for the third time in 1951 when he finished tied 12th.

No amateur made the cut six years ago so no medal was awarded.

Calum SCOTT (SCO), 20 at the time, won the low amateur Silver Medal in the 2024 Open Championship with rounds of 71, 75, 70 and 76 (+8) at Royal Troon.

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Calum Scott – Winner of the 2024 Silver Medal (Photo: Luke Walker / R&A / R&A via Getty Images)

For more information on this prize please take a look at my article – The Open Championship’s Silver Medal.

Additional Information

Click here to view the official – 2025 Open Championship Website

2024 Regional & Final Qualifying

No amateur or professional player came through both Regional and Final Qualifying this year.

The five amateurs who advanced to the Championship through Qualifying were all exempt directly into Final Stage.

Click here to view my article on – The Open Championship – 2025 Regional & Final Qualifying

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Final Qualifying)

Click here to view the official – Open Championship Website (Regional Qualifying)

Cameron Adam (Photo: Adam Family)

ME.

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

The European Amateur Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

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28th June 2025

Round 4

A final round 67 (-5) helped 21 year old Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) to a 3-shot victory in the 2025 European Men’s Amateur Championship. His winning score was 280 (-8) and he becomes the first Czech player to win the title. This is the most prestigious win for the Czech star who will shortly commence his senior season at University of Arizona and can look forward to improving his current WAGR #9 ranking next week.

With the win Jakubčík earned an exemption into The 153rd Open Championship which will be played at Royal Portrush G.C. next month.

Filip Jakubčik (Photo: European Golf Association)

Kristin BRESSUM (DEN) earned the silver medal on 283 (-5) and Sakke SILTALA (FIN) the bronze medal on 284 (-4).

Bressum and Siltala were joined by Wolfgang GLAWE (GER), WAGR #96, and Matteo CRISTONI (ITA) 285 (-3), WAGR #284, tied 4th, in earning an exemption into Final Qualifying for The Open Championship next Tuesday. Glawe subsequently declined the invitation.

Cameron ADAM (SCO) was the leading GB&I player finishing tied 9th on 287 (-1). Following on from his win in the St. Andrews Links Trophy earlier this month he won The Open Amateur Series to also earn a spot in The Open Championship.

Zach LITTLE (ENG), Charlie FORSTER (ENG) & Stuart GREHAN (IRL) all finished tied 12th on 288 (Ev), Jenson FORRESTER (ENG) & Seb CAVE (ENG) 290 (+2) tied 18th and Freddie TURNELL (ENG) & Eliot BAKER (ENG) 291 (+3) tied 21st.

Defending champion Tommy MORRISON (USA) saved his best to the last round at Vasatorp G.C., an eight birdie 6-under 66 lifting him up to tied 12th.

The average Round 4 score was 72.39 (+0.39) with 24 players breaking par on Saturday and a further eight shooting an even par 72.

Final Results (Graphic: European Golf Association / GolfBox)

Click here to view the – EGA / Golfbox 2025 European Amateur Championship Leaderboard

ME.

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27th June 2025

Round 3

Finn KOELLE (GER), Kristian BRESSUM (DEN) and Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) finished Day 2 tied for the lead on 213 (-3). Whilst Bressum and Jakubcik could only manage 1-over 73’s Koelle took advantage with a 2-under 70.

After Round 3 just six players are now under par for the Championship with Sakke SILTALA (FIN) -2 and Nevill RUITER (NED)  and Matteo CRISTONI (ITA) -1 the nearest challengers to the three co-leaders.

Cameron ADAM (SCO) & Stuart GREHAN (IRL) Ev are tied 7th and Charlie FORSTER (ENG), Seb CAVE (ENG) and Jenson FORRESTER (ENG) +1 tied 9th.

60 players made the top 60 and ties 54 hole cut which fell at 224 (+8).

The average Round 3 score was 76.09 (+4.09) with just five players breaking par and three managing a par 72 on another tough day in Sweden.

Round 3 Leaderboard (Graphic: European Golf Association / GolfBox)

ME.

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26th June 2025

Round 2

Sakke SILTALA (FIN) recorded five birdies in his second round 68 (-4) to move into the 36 hole lead with a 139 (-5) total.

Kristian BRESSUM (DEN) and Filip JAKUBČÍK (CZH) share 2nd place on 140 (-4). Bressum delivered the best round of the week so far on Day 2 with a bogey free 65 (-7), a full 10 shots better than his Round 1 score. Jakubcik’s 69 was a bit more up-and-down, including an eagle and four birdies but also three bogeys.

From a GB&I perspective Stuart GREHAN (IRL) -3 is tied 4th, Charlie FORSTER (ENG), Jenson FORRESTER (ENG) & Seb CAVE (ENG) -1 are tied 9th and Eliot BAKER (ENG) & Zach LITTLE (ENG) Ev are tied 18th.

100 players made the 36 hole top 96 and ties first cut which fell at +9. Dion REGAN (WAL) showed good heart in making this cut. After an 84 in Round 1 he bounced back today with a 68 to finish on -8. A total of 27 GB&I players lived to fight another day in Sweden.

The average Round 2 score was 73.43 (+1.43), a full four shots lower than yesterday. 42 players broke par compared with 10 in Round 1 and 21 shot a par 72 compared with 5 yesterday. Whilst Day 1 saw no scores in the 60’s an easier scoring day for Round 2 saw 16.

Round 2 Leaderboard (Graphic: European Golf Association / GolfBox)

ME.

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25th June 2025

Round 1

Jack GILBERT (USA), Gerardo GOMEZ (MEX) and Kayun MUDADANA (AUS) all shot 2-under 70’s on Day 1 at Vasatorp G.C. to share the early lead in the European Amateur.

Seb CAVE (ENG) and Stuart GREHAN (IRL) -1, Zach LITTLE (ENG) & Jenson FORRESTOR (ENG) Ev and Thomas HIGGINS (IRL), Tom OSBORNE (ENG) & Harley SMITH (ENG) +1 are the leading GB&I players.

The average Round 1 score was 77.43 (+5.43). Just 10 of the 144 players broke par with a further 5 shooting par 72.

Round 1 Leaderboard (Graphic: European Golf Association / GolfBox)

ME.

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24th June 2025

The 38th European Amateur Championship will be played at Vasatorp G.C. in Sweden between 25th-28th June 2025.

This prestigious Championship is run by the European Golf Association (EGA), assisted each year by the host nation; this year being the Swedish Golf Fderation.

This will be the fourth occasion that Sweden has hosted the European Amateur. It has previously been staged at Karlstad (1996), Skövde G.C. (2004) and Halmstad G.C. (2011).

Vasatorp Golf Club (Photo: EGA)

Competition Format

The European Amateur is a 72-hole stroke play competition with 18-holes played daily over four days.

There will be two cuts applied to the field during the Championship. After 36 holes only players with the 96 lowest scores and ties will progress and then after 54 holes only the 60 lowest scores and ties will qualify for the final round.

A 3 hole aggregate score play off will decide the winner in the event of a tie. If this doesn’t separate the players then a sudden death play-off will commence over the same holes.

A card count-back (last 36, then 18, then 9, etc,) will be used to resolve a tie for 2nd and 3rd place.

Entries

144 players from 41 countries will contest the 2025 Championship.

All of the players in the field must have handicaps of 0.0 or better with the entry ballot applied based on the World Amateur Golf Rankings.

Exemptions were available to the defending champion, a single nomination from each EGA member nation, four nominated players from the host nation, Sweden, competitors in the Bonallack Trophy, St. Andrew’s Trophy and Jacques Léglise Trophy matches, the 2025 South American Amateur champion and the 2025 European Mid-Amateur champion.

There are 34 GB&I entries, namely Cameron ADAM (SCO), Eliot BAKER (ENG), Tom BASTOW (WAL), Jack BIGHAM (ENG), Ben BOLTON (ENG), Tomi BOWEN (WAL), Seb CAVE (ENG), Sebastian DESOISA (GIB), Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG), Jenson FORRESTER (ENG), Charlie FORSTER (ENG), Conor GOUGH (ENG), Connor GRAHAM (SCO), Stuart GREHAN (IRL), Daniel HAYES (ENG), Thomas HIGGINS (IRL), Monty HOLCOMBE (ENG), Seán KEELING (IRL) Kris KIM (ENG), Aidan LAWSON (SCO), Oscar LENT (ENG), Zach LITTLE (ENG), Matthew MCCLEAN (IRL), Dominic MCGLINCHEY (SCO), Tom OSBORNE (ENG), Dion REGAN (WAL), Matt ROBERTS (WAL), Charlie RUSBRIDGE (ENG), Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO), Harley SMITH (ENG), Henry STYLES (ENG), Gregor TAIT (SCO), Freddie TURNELL (ENG) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG).

The leading international entries (WAGR Top 100) are Christiaan MAAS (RSA), defending champion Tommy MORRISON (USA), Filip JAKUBCIK (CZH), Connor WILLIAMS (USA), Michael Alexander MJAASETH (NOR), Luke POTTER (USA), Daniel BENNETT (RSA), Daniel SVÅRD (SWE), Hugo LE GOFF (FRA), Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER), Peer WERNICKE (GER), Benjamin REUTER (NED), Luke SAMPLE (USA) and Wolfgang GLAWE (GER).

Vasatorp Golf Club, Sweden

Vasatorp Golf Club, which has hosted numerous national and international tournaments in the past, is located on the eastern side of Helsingborg.

The Tournament Course, an open and undulating heathland layout with some water hazards, was designed by Arthur Hills and Steve Forrest in 2008.

The layout stretches up to 6,735m and plays to a par of 72 from the back tees.

Vasatorp Golf Club (Graphic: EGA)

Weather Forecast (as at 24th June)

Conditions are expected to be generally good, albeit with some rain likely and relatively strong winds.

Weds 25th June – Light Rain Showers. Wind 16 mph NW. Min. 10°C / Max. 19°C.
Thurs 26th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 10 mph SE. Min. 15°C / Max. 20°C.
Fri 27th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 18 mph NW. Min. 13°C / Max. 21°C.
Sat 28th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 15 mph W. Min. 13°C / Max. 22°C.

Prizes

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers.

The silver Championship Trophy, shown below, is held by the winning player’s national golf authority.

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The European Amateur Championship Trophy (Photo: EGA)

The Open Championship

The champion earns an exemption into The Open Championship in a few weeks time, this year being played at Royal Portrush G.C. in Northern Ireland.

The Open Amateur Series Winner – the player who gains the most WAGR points in the St. Andrews Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur Championship – (as long as they don’t win either the Amateur or European Amateur) will also earn a spot at Royal Portrush.

Players who finish in 2nd to 4th places in this year’s European Amateur will also be offered a place in Final Qualifying which takes place next Tuesday, the 1st July. Any ties for 2nd-4th will be decided in favour of the highest ranked player in WAGR.

Other Championships

The USGA also grants exemptions to the winner into the U.S. Amateur Championship, the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship (if U19) and into Final Qualifying for the 2026 U.S. Open Championship (subject to remaining an amateur).

Further Information

Click here to view the – EGA European Amateur Championship Website

2024 European Amateur Championship

Tommy MORRISON (USA) won the 2024 European Amateur Championship at The Scandinavian G.C. in Denmark becoming the first American to win the title. He finished a three hole aggregate play-off on -2, one better than Ireland’s Max KENNEDY and three better than his compatriot Preston SUMMERHAYS.

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Tommy Morrison (Photo: European Golf Association)

Max Kennedy’s Scorecard (Graphic: EGA / Golfbox)

Calum SCOTT (SCO) finished in 4th place on -7 and newly crowned Amateur champion Jacob Skov OLESEN (DEN), Santiago de la FUENTE (MEX) & Tim WIEDEMEYER (GER) -6 were all tied 5th.

GB&I players Liam NOLAN (IRL) -4 11th and Niall SHIELS DONEGAN (SCO), Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG) & Charlie FORSTER (ENG) -1 tied 16th finished in the top 20.

Click here to view the – EGA / Golfbox 2024 European Amateur Championship Leaderboard

History

The competition was first contested in 1986 at Eindhoven G.C. Initially it was held biennially before moving to an annual fixture from 1990.

Former winners who have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers include Stephen GALLACHER (1994), Sergio GARCIA (1995), Gregory HAVRET (1999), Carl PETTERSSON (2000), Rory MCILROY (2006), Victor DUBUISSON (2009), Nicolai HØJGÅRD (2018) and Matthias SCHMID (2019 & 2020).

In addition to Gallacher and McIlroy other GB&I past winners include Jim PAYNE (1991), Paddy GRIBBEN (1998), Stephen BROWNE (2001), Brian MCELHINNEY (2003), Matthew RICHARDSON (2004), Rhys PUGH (2012) and Ashley CHESTERS (2013 and 2014) and Alfie PLANT (2017).

Ashley Chesters and Matthias Schmid are the only two-time winners and the only players to have retained the trophy.

Click here to view the – European Amateur Championship Past Winners and Venues

Rory McIlroy – 2006 Champion (Photo: European Golf Association)

ME.

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