Tag Archives: Zach Little

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

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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

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

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28th May 2025

OKLAHOMA STATE (4) won the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship at Omni La Costa.

This was The Cowboys 12th national title placing them tied 3rd alongside Princeton. Only Yale with 21 wins and Houston with 16 now lie ahead of them in the all-time list.

The victorious line-up included four sophomores and one freshman, all of whom will ominously be returning for Oklahoma State next year.

Oklahoma State (Photo: Oklahoma State Men’s Golf Team)

OKLAHOMA STATE (4) beat VIRGINIA (7) in the Final 4.0-1.0 at Omni La Costa in California.

The four wins came from Filip FAHLBERG-JOHNSSON (SWE), Eric LEE (USA), Gaven LANE (USA) and Ethan FANG (USA).

Fahlberg-Johnsson was a new recruit this year whilst Lee and Fang both transferred in from California last summer as long-term coach Alan Bratten freshened up his line-up who this time last year failed to advance from the 54 hole top 15 first Stroke Play Stage.

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

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

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27th May 2025

MATCH PLAY – SEMI-FINALS (PM)

VIRGINIA (7) beat FLORIDA (3) 4.0-1.0 in the opening Semi-Final, winning all four of the opening five games.

Luke POULTER (ENG / Florida) lost his game against WAGR #4 Ben JAMES (USA / Virginia) by 1 Hole. Poulter conceded the par 5 18th hole to James after getting into trouble and seeing his opponent nearly hole his green side bunker shot for eagle.

In the other Semi-Final OKLAHOMA STATE (4) beat OLE MISS. (8) by 3.0-2.0.

Eric LEE (USA / Oklahoma State) winning the decisive final game against Cohen TROLIO (USA / Ole Miss.) on the 19th hole (with a par 3 on the 16th).

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

MATCH PLAY – QUARTER FINALS (AM)

The Quarter Finals of the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship were won by VIRGINIA (7), FLORIDA (3), OKLAHOMA STATE (4) and OLE MISS. (8).

Luke POULTER (ENG / Florida) lost his match against European Amateur champion Tommy MORRISON (USA / Texas) but saw his team win 3.0-2.0.

The surprise losses of Stroke Play No. 1 seeds ARIZONA and the defending champions and No. 2 seeds AUBURN has certainly opened the Championship up.

Since the NCAA introduced a Match Play Stage in 2009 to determine the Team champions the only No. 1 Stroke Play seeds to win are Oklahoma State in 2018.

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

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26th May 2025 

STROKE PLAY ROUND 4

TEAM

ARIZONA STATE earned medalist honours in the Stroke Play Qualifying Stage of the National Championship with a -14 total team score.

The other seven Match Play spots were taken by AUBURN (-12) 2nd, FLORIDA (-9) 3rd, OKLAHOMA STATE (-1) 4th, OKLAHOMA (Ev) 5th, TEXAS (+5) 6th, VIRGINIA (+9) 7th and OLE MISS. (+11) 8th at Omni La Costa in California.

Sadly from a GB&I perspective FLORIDA STATE (+12) 9th and TEXAS TECH (+14) 10th were the two teams who narrowly missed out.

Prior to play commencing WAKE FOREST (18 shots) beat GEORGIA TECH (19 shots) in the five player / hole stroke play play-off to take their place in the final Stroke Play round. Wake had a disappointing day though and finished last of the final 15 teams.

Stroke Play Team Results (Graphic: Scoreboard / NCAA)

INDIVIDUAL

Junior Michael LA SASSO (USA / Ole Miss.) -11 was today crowned the NCAA Division I Individual National Champion.

His victory earned him an exemption into next month’s U.S. Open Championship and the 2026 Masters Invitational.

Michael La Sasso (Photo: PGA Tour University )

Phichaksn MAICHON (THA / Texas A&M) -9 finished 2nd, Preston STOUT (USA / Oklahoma State) -7 3rd and Jackson KOIVUN (USA / Auburn) & Josele  BALLESTER (ESP / Arizona State) -6 tied 4th.

Koivun’s top 10 result earned him the final point he required to reach the magical 20 in the PGA Tour Accelerated Rankings. He therefore became the third player to earn their PGA Tour card through this route. He plans to complete his junior season at Auburn and defer his membership to June 2026.

Despite opening his tournament with a 5-over 77 Calum SCOTT (SCO / Texas Tech) showed his experience to finish as the leading GB&I player in tied 27th on +2.

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

Wake Forest’s team play-off victory this morning meant that ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) missed out on the opportunity to qualify as an Individual as Georgia Tech had two players, Hiroshi Tai -1 T14 and Carson Kim +1 T22, who were ahead of him in the standings.

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

CALUM SCOTT (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 77, 71, 71, 71 (+2) T27
LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) 70, 70, 75, 76 (+3) T32
TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 74, 74, 72, 73 (+5) T44
CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 72, 75, 73, 74 (+6) T50
JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 73, 72, 79, 77 (+13) T70

ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) 75, 71, 73 (+3) T36 MISSED CUT
OLIVER CAGE (ENG / NEW MEXICO) 74, 74, 79 (+11) T101 MISSED CUT
JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) 78, 73, 77 (+12) T108 MISSED CUT
SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) 82, 75, 77 (+18) T139 MISSED CUT
JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) 84, 71, 80 (+19) T144 MISSED CUT
SEAN KEELING (IRL / TEXAS TECH) SUB (N/A)

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

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25th May 2025 

STROKE PLAY ROUND 3

TEAM

After 54 holes AUBURN (-10) lead the Stroke Play Qualifying Stage at Omni La Costa in California.

ARIZONA STATE (-6) and OKLAHOMA (-3) both dropped a place in the standings after they could only manage a +7 team score in Round 3.

FLORIDA (-1) will start Day 4 in 4th place with OKLAHOMA STATE (+5) in 5th.

For religious reasons BRIGHAM YOUNG (+14) played their third round on Thursday rather than on Sunday. This proved to be advantageous as their +1 team score was much better than the average and helped them to easily progress within the top 15 teams.

The fight for the top 8 Match Play qualifying spots looks like it should be exciting with all of the currently over-par teams still in with a chance of progressing.

WAKE FOREST and GEORGIA TECH will play-off on Monday morning for the final Round 4 team spot (15th) after they both completed the 54 holes with a +17 team score.

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

INDIVIDUAL

Michael LA SASSO (USA / Ole Miss.) -11 leads Phichaksn MAICHON (THA / Texas A&M) -9, Connor WILLIAMS (USA / Arizona State) -6 and Brendan VALDES (USA / Auburn), Clark VAN GAALEN (USA / Oklahoma) & Preston STOUT (USA / Oklahoma State) -5 in the Individual standings.

Luke POULTER (ENG / Florida) -1 is tied 14th after he shot a 3-over 75 on Day 3.

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

Here are the Round 3 Individual scores / positions for all of the GB&I players: –

LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) 70, 70, 75 (-1) T14
ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) 75, 71, 73 (+3) T36
CALUM SCOTT (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 77, 71, 71 (+3) T36
CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 72, 75, 73 (+4) T46
TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 74, 74, 72 (+4) T46
JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 73, 72, 79 (+8) T77

OLIVER CAGE (ENG / NEW MEXICO) 74, 74, 79 (+11) T101 MISSED CUT
JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) 78, 73, 77 (+12) T108 MISSED CUT
SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) 82, 75, 77 (+18) T139 MISSED CUT
JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) 84, 71, 80 (+19) T144 MISSED CUT
SEAN KEELING (IRL / TEXAS TECH) SUB (N/A)

If GEORGIA TECH beat WAKE FOREST in the team play-off then Zach LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) will be in an Individual play-off to advance to the final Stroke Play round. The leading 9 individuals not on one of the 15 qualifying teams advance.

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24th May 2025 

STROKE PLAY ROUND 2

TEAM

ARIZONA STATE (-13) moved into the Stroke Play Qualifying lead on -13 after an excellent -11 team score in Round 2.

OKLAHOMA (-10) dropped to 2nd place, AUBURN (-8) are 3rd, FLORIDA (-5) 4th and FLORIDA STATE (-1) 5th at Omni La Costa in California.

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

INDIVIDUAL

Connor WILLIAMS (USA / Arizona State) and Michael LA SASSO (USA / Ole Miss.) both posted 5-under 67’s in Round 2 to move to the top of the Individual leaderboard on -9.

Phichaksn MAICHON (THA / Texas A&M) and Brendan VALDES (USA / Auburn) are tied 3rd on -5.

Luke POULTER (ENG / Florida) remains the best of the GB&I players on -4, tied 5th, after he shot a second consecutive 2-under 70 on Day 2.

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

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

LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) 70, 70 (-4) T5
JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 73, 72 (+1) T32
ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) 75, 71 (+2) T43
CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 72, 75 (+3) T55
OLIVER CAGE (ENG / NEW MEXICO) 74, 74 (+4) T62
TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 74, 74 (+4) T62
CALUM SCOTT (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 77, 71 (+4) T62
JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) 78, 73 (+7) T95
JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) 84, 71 (+11) T121
SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) 82, 75 (+13) T133
SEAN KEELING (IRL / TEXAS TECH) SUB (N/A)

The leading 9 individuals not on one of the 15 qualifying teams will also advance to the final stroke play round being played on Monday.

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23rd May 2025

STROKE PLAY ROUND 1

TEAM

OKLAHOMA (-8) lead FLORIDA STATE, FLORIDA & TEXAS (all -3) and ARIZONA STATE, AUBURN & ILLINOIS (all -2) after the opening round of the NCAA Division I Men’s National Championship being played at Omni La Costa in California.

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

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

INDIVIDUAL

Phichaksn MAICHON (THA / Texas A&M) leads the Individual standings after a bogey-free 66. Tommy MORRISON (USA / Texas) and Carter LOFLIN (USA / Georgia) are 1-shot further back.

Luke POULTER (ENG / Florida) is the best of the GB&I group after he started the Championship with a 2-under 70.

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

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

LUKE POULTER (ENG / FLORIDA) 70 (-2) T16
CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 72 (EV) T39
JACK BIGHAM (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 73 (+1) T47
TYLER WEAVER (ENG / FLORIDA STATE) 74 (+2) T63
OLIVER CAGE (ENG / NEW MEXICO) 74 (+2) T63
ZACH LITTLE (ENG / UNLV) 75 (+3) T79
CALUM SCOTT (SCO / TEXAS TECH) 77 (+5) T120
JOSH HILL (ENG / TENNESSEE) 78 (+6) T130
SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG / PURDUE) 82 (+10) T151
JENSON FORRESTER (ENG / PURDUE) 84 (+12) T154
SEAN KEELING (IRL / TEXAS TECH) SUB (N/A)

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

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15th May 2025

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

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

A former long time PGA Tour stop off the North Course has recently been re-designed by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner with the two 2024 NCAA Golf Championships marking its official re-opening.

The men’s course will play 7,538 yards with a par of 72.

30 5-man teams and 6 individuals not on those teams qualified to play through six Regional events played on 12th-14th May. To learn more about these Regionals please read my earlier article – NCAA Division I Men’s Regionals – 2025 Preview & Results

At the National Championship 54 holes of stroke play will be played on 23rd-25th May. A cut will then take place which will see the top 15 teams and nine individuals not on those teams play a final 18 holes on 26th May. Team scores in the stroke play stage are based on a best four from five players cumulative total. After 72 holes an Individual champion is crowned with the leading 8 teams progressing to a match play stage. Seeded match play will then take place on 27th-28th May to determine the Team national champions.

I will be providing daily reports on play when the Championship gets underway.

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

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

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Here is a list of the teams and individuals along with their Regional site results in brackets.

There are 11 players, one of whom is expected to start as a substitute, from Great Britain & Ireland competing this year; they are highlighted in blue below.

TEAMS

Arizona State (Bremerton, 2nd)

Auburn (Auburn, 1st)

Augusta (Tallahassee, 5th)

Brigham Young (Reno, 1st)

California (Reno, 5th)

Colorado (Bremerton, 3rd)

Georgia (Tallahassee, 4th)

Georgia Tech (Auburn, 5th)

Illinois (Urbana, T1)

Florida (Bremerton, 1st) – LUKE POULTER (ENG)

Florida State (Tallahassee, 1st) – TYLER WEAVER (ENG), JACK BIGHAM (ENG)

New Mexico (Tallahassee, 3rd) – OLIVER CAGE (ENG)

Oklahoma (Amherst, 1st)

Oklahoma State (Urbana, T1)

Ole Miss (Tallahassee, 2nd)

Pepperdine (Amherst, 5th)

Purdue (Auburn, 4th) – SAM EASTERBROOK (ENG), JENSON FORRESTER (ENG)

San Diego (Reno, 4th)

South Carolina (Bremerton, 5th)

South Florida USF (Bremerton, 4th)

Tennessee (Amherst, 3rd) – JOSH HILL (ENG)

Texas (Reno, 3rd)

Texas A&M (Auburn, 2nd)

Texas Tech (Urbana, 5th) – CALUM SCOTT (SCO), CONNOR GRAHAM (SCO), SEAN KEELING (IRL) SUB

Troy (Urbana, 4th)

UCLA (Auburn, 3rd)

UNLV (Urbana, 3rd) – ZACH LITTLE (ENG)

Vanderbilt (Amherst, 2nd)

Virginia (Reno, 2nd)

Wake Forest (Amherst, 4th)

INDIVIDUALS

Claes Borregaard – Denmark / Kennesaw State (Auburn, T2)

Bryan Kim – USA /Duke (Reno, T3)

Jacob Modleski – USA / Notre Dame (Tallahassee, 4th)

Sakke Siltala – Finland / Duke (Amherst, T2)

Hunter Thomson – USA / Michigan (Urbana, 1st)

Braxton Watts – USA / Utah (Bremerton, 1st)

SUB = Substitute / NS = Not Selected

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2024 Results

AUBURN beat FLORIDA STATE 3-2-0 in the NCAA Div. I Men’s Championship match at Omni La Costa in California.

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Auburn Men’s Golf Team (Photo: Auburn Men’s Golf) 

Sophomore Hiroshi TAI (SGP / Georgia Tech) won the Individual NCAA Div. I National Championship with a 72 hole total score of 285 (-3).

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Hiroshi Tai (Photo: NCAA)

Calum SCOTT (SCO / Texas Tech) was the best performing GB&I player finishing the Championship in tied 11th place on Even par.

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

After 72 Holes (positions stated after 72 holes)

Callum SCOTT (SCO / Texas Tech) 76, 74, 70 (Ev) Tied 11th
Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG / ETSU)  77, 74, 74, 71 (+10) Tied 49th
Jenson FORRESTER (ENG / ETSU) 78, 73, 78, 74 (+15) Tied 72nd

Missed the 54 Hole Cut (positions stated after 54 holes)

Barclay BROWN (ENG / Stanford) 74, 75, 74 (+7) Tied 51st
Matty DODD-BERRY (ENG / ETSU)  77, 74, 74 (+9) Tied 73rd
Jenson FORRESTER (ENG / ETSU) 78, 73, 78 (+13) Tied 101st
Thomas HIGGINS (IRL / Clemson) 80, 76, 79 (+19) Tied 130th
Sam EASTERBROOK (ENG / Purdue) 84 (+12) NS, NS Tied 148th

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

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

ME.

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

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

Posted on by

14th May 2025

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

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

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

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

AMHERST, VIRGINIA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

AUBURN, ALABAMA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

BREMERTON, WASHINGTON

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

RENO NEVADA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

URBANA, ILLINOIS

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCOREBOARD RESULTS – TEAM and INDIVIDUAL

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

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

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

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

ME.

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30th April 2025

Regional Championships

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

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

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

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

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

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

National Championships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUB – Substitute / NS – Not Selected

ME.

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

The St. Andrews Links Trophy – 2023 Preview & Results

Posted on by

11th June 2023

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) won the St. Andrews Links Trophy by 5-shots with rounds of 70, 66, 66 and 64 and a 266 (-21) total.

Maguire’s -20 total for the final 54 holes on the host course, let alone his strong run of recent results, must bode well for his chances of being selected for the GB&I Walker Cup team.

The winner said “It feels absolutely amazing to be able to call myself the St. Andrews Links champion. What a place to win. You couldn’t pick a better place to have a victory than the Old Course. I’m absolutely delighted.”

The Laytown & Bettystown member became the fourth Irish winner following in the footsteps of Alan Dunbar (2009), Connor O’Rourke (2016) and John Murphy (2018).

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Alex Maguire (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust)

Round 4

Starting the final round tied for the lead the Irishman quickly got into his stride and pulled away from the field with an outward 31 (-5). It is to his huge credit that he was able to add three more birdies on the back nine to complete a flawless final round of 64, the lowest score seen at the tournament.

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Alex Maguire’s Scorecards (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Albert HANSSON (SWE) -16 finished 2nd, Calum SCOTT (SCO) -15 3rd, Harry CROCKETT (ENG) -15 4th and Paul BEAUVY (FRA) -12 5th.

It was a welcome return to form for Calum Scott who chose not to take up his WAGR Top 50 exemption into U.S. Open Final Qualifying and come home in good time to prepare for the St. Andrews Links Trophy and The Amateur Championship.

Markus LUOMA (FIN) -12 bounced back well from a disappointing 72 in the morning to finish 6th with Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) -12 again reminded us of his class with another top ten result.

Frank KENNEDY (ENG) -11 finished 8th and Charlie CROCKETT (ENG) -11, who had carried the burden of the lead for much of the tournament, 9th after he fell back with a closing 74.

26 of the 42 players broke par and 4 shot the par of 72 in Round 4.

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Round 4 Results (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2023 St. Andrews Links Trophy Results

Round 3

Alex MAGUIRE (IRL) moved into a tie for the 54 hole lead on -13 after a morning 66 which included seven birdies.

Charlie CROCKETT (ENG) showed no signs of nerves, going out in 31 which included an eagle 2 on the par 4 3rd. However, he was unable to make further in roads on the back nine and as such his 68 saw him fall into a tie for 1st.

Charlie’s brother Harry CROCKETT (ENG) matched Maguire’s 66, the best achieved in this round, to move into tied 3rd with Albert HANSSON (SWE).

Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL) and Jack BIGHAM (ENG) both posted morning 67’s to move nicely up the leaderboard.

22 of the 42 players broke par and 8 shot par in Round 3 re-affirming how easy the 7,171 yard Old Course is to play when the weather is pleasant.

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Round 3 Leaderboard (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

ME.

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10th June 2023

Round 2

Charlie CROCKETT (ENG), playing in his first home event since returning from Missouri where he enjoyed a very good collegiate season, shot a 7-under 65 on the Old Course to take the 36-hole lead in the St. Andrews Links Trophy. The obvious highlights were his opening three birdies and his eagle two on the short par 4 10th hole.

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Charlie Crockett’s Rounds 1 and 2 Scorecards (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Markus LUOMA (FIN), Jerry JI (NED), Albert HANSSON (SWE) and Rob MORAN (IRL) are all one short further back of the Surrey man after rounds of 66, 67, 68 and 69 respectively.

In form Alex MAGUIRE (IRL), who won the East of Ireland title earlier this week, matched Luoma’s 66 to finish the day tied 6th alongside Paul BEAUVY (FRA), Calum SCOTT (SCO) and Jack INGHAM (NED).

Charlie’s younger brother Harry CROCKETT (ENG), who is now at Nebraska in the States, is tied 10th on -6. I was writing about successful brothers at the Brabazon Trophy a few weeks ago and here we are again with another pair.

The international nature of this event is clear when one sees that there are twelve different nationalities represented in the current top 20.

42 players made the top 40 and ties cut, which fell at 141 (-2), ensuring themselves a further 36 holes on the Old Course on Sunday. They are all shown below:-

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

Luis MASAVEU (ESP) -1, Matt ROBERTS (WAL) -1, Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) -1, James CLARIDGE (ENG) Ev, Josh BERRY (ENG) Ev, Tyler WEAVER (ENG) Ev, Peter O’KEEFFE (IRL) Ev, James ASHFIELD (WAL) +1, Harley SMITH (ENG) +1, Liam NOLAN (IRL) +3, Connor GRAHAM (SCO) +4, Hugh FOLEY (IRL) +4 and John GOUGH (ENG) +4 were amongst the group of 102 players who missed the cut.

ME.

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9th June 2023

Round 1

Jack INGHAM (NED), Ronan KLEU (SUI), Erik JANSSON (SWE), Robert MORAN (IRL) and Peter O’KEEFFE (IRL) all recorded opening rounds of 65 (-5) on the New Course to share the 18 hole lead.

Most of these players made good starts but none better than O’Keeffe who was 5-under after 3 holes, helped considerably by an albatross on the par 5 3rd hole.

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Round 1 Leader Scorecards (Graphic: St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius)

Frank KENNEDY (ENG), with Fanny Sunesson on the bag again, Altin VAN DER MERWE (RSA), Ben VAN WYK (RSA) and R&A Boys’ champion Albert HANSSON (SWE) are all one shot further back after posting 67’s.

Calum SCOTT (SCO), Tomi BOWEN (WAL), Colm CAMPBELL (IRL) and Harry CROCKETT (ENG) are amongst a group of eight players tied 10th on -3.

On a lovely day in Fife 51 players broke par on the New Course with a further 20 achieving a par score of 71.

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

ME.

_____________________________________

5th June 2023

144 golfers will tee off on Friday 9th June in the 34th St. Andrews Links Trophy.

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

This year it is even more important for the GB&I players who are competing as the Old Course in St. Andrews will also be hosting the 49th Walker Cup match in September.

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.

This year Round 1 will be played on the New Course and Round 2 on the Old Course. In non-Open Championship year’s the Jubilee Course normally alternates with the New for Round 1.

The New Course plays 6,681 yards to a par of 71. The front nine is 3,302 yards long with a par of 36 whilst the tougher back nine is slightly longer at 3,379 yards but has a lower par of 35.

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 Old Course has been set up at 7,171 yards for the event and has a par of 72. Both nines have a par of 36 and have similar yardages – the front is 3,535 yards long whilst the back is longer at 3,636 yards.

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

The Field

As this is the first event that takes place in Great Britain & Ireland after the U.S. college season has ended the field is stronger than we have seen in recent weeks.

GB&I Walker Cup squad members James ASHFIELD (WAL), Josh BERRY (ENG), Archie DAVIES (WAL), Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG), Hugh FOLEY (IRL), Connor GRAHAM (SCO), John GOUGH (ENG), Frank KENNEDY (ENG), Robert MORAN (IRL), Liam NOLAN (IRL), Peter O’KEEFFE (IRL), Mark POWER (IRL), Calum SCOTT (SCO), Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG), Harley SMITH (ENG), Gregor TAIT (SCO) and Tyler WEAVER (ENG) are all competing.

The missing squad members are Barclay BROWN (ENG), Josh HILL (ENG) and Matthew MCCLEAN (IRL). Brown chose to play in U.S. Open Final Qualifying in California on Monday 5th June (he finished tied 2nd to progress), Hill withdrew having originally entered and McClean is travelling over to the U.S. Open to take up his 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur champion exemption.

Max KENNEDY (IRL), who won the Ulster Men’s Amateur Championship last week, had planned to play but withdrew when he was selected for the International Team at the Arnold Palmer Cup, which is also being played this week. Max, who is at Louisville, was our leading player on the U.S. college circuit this season.

Other GB&I players who have been showing some recent form are Jack BIGHAM (ENG), Tomi BOWEN (WAL), Seb CAVE (ENG), Zach CHEGWIDDEN (ENG), James CLARIDGE (ENG), Paul CONROY (IRL), Will COXON (ENG), Charlie CROCKETT (ENG), Matthew DODD-BERRY (ENG), Zach LITTLE (ENG), Sean KEELING (IRL), Alex MAGUIRE (IRL), James NASH (WAL), Matt ROBERTS (WAL) and Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL); all of them should be competitive this week.

In recent weeks Liam Nolan has won the Brabazon Trophy at Sunningdale, Connor Graham the Scottish Men’s Open Championship at Meldrum House and Alex Maguire the East of Ireland Amateur Open at County Louth so all three of them will arrive with their confidence high.

The overseas players in the field that stand out to me are Harrison CROWE (AUS), Quentin DEBOVE (FRA), Albert HANSSON (SWE), Elias HAAVISTO (FIN), David LUNDGREN (SWE), Louis MASAVEU (ESP), Laurenz SCHIERGEN (GER) and Altin VAN DER MERWE (RSA).

Players from 22 countries will be competing at St. Andrews this year.

Weather Forecast (as at Wenesday 7th June)

The current weather forecast looks very good with sun and gentle breezes expected.

Friday 9th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 14 mph E. Temp. Min. 6°C / Max. 14°C.
Saturday 10th June – Sunny. Wind 14 mph E. Temp. Min. 10°C / Max. 16°C.
Sunday 11th June – Sunny Intervals. Wind 11 mph E. Temp. Min. 12°C / Max. 18°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 voucher prizes 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.

The Open Championship

In a boost to this year’s St. Andrews Links Trophy the R&A announced a new exemption category for the 2023 Open Championship a few months ago.

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

Competition Website

Click here to view the – 2023 St. Andrews Links Trophy Tournament Website

2022 St. Andrews Links Trophy

19 year old Connor MCKINNEY (AUS) won the 2022 St. Andrews Links Trophy beating compatriot Adam BRADY by 2-shots.

McKinney produced 23 birdies and just seven bogeys in his 72 holes around the Jubilee and Old Courses.

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Connor McKinney (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust)

Robert MORAN (IRL) and Arron EDWARDS-HILL (ENG) finished third and fourth on countback with Frenchman Paul BEAUVY claiming 5th.

Connor GRAHAM (SCO) 9th, Charlie CROCKETT (ENG) 12th, Matthew MCCLEAN (IRL) 13th and Matt GAUNTLETT (ENG) 15th were the other leading GB&I players.

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Final Results (Photo: St. Andrews Links Trust / OCS Sport)

51 players made the top 40 and ties cut which eventually fell at 144 (Ev).

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.

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