England’s rising star Charlie Rusbridge has clinched the prestigious Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship in stunning fashion.
The event, held at the world-class Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal, saw the 16-year-old golfer from Essex deliver a masterclass performance, finishing with a commanding eight-shot lead and an impressive score of -12 across three rounds from December 9-11.
A Year of Triumphs Ends with a Bang
Reflecting on his season, Rusbridge expressed his delight in bookending his year with victories in Portugal.
“It’s funny, because I started the year with a win in Portugal in the Faldo Series and have finished it here in the same country with a win in Justin’s event, and they’re both a massively inspirational pair.
“Dad rang me yesterday evening, after the second round when I was four ahead, and asked if it would make me too nervous if he came over last-minute to be here for the final 18 holes.
I told him it would be brilliant to have him here, and of course, Justin being here made it even more special. They even travelled on the same EasyJet flight! It’s not every day you have a major champion looking on as you drive off. It’s a day I’ll never forget.
“It’s an honour to win such a big event. I played really nicely all week, and to finish with five birdies on the back-nine today, and three birdies on the last three holes, was really cool.
We’ll be celebrating with a gala dinner tonight and no doubt I’ll be taking the trophy back to my home club and celebrate there.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Rusbridge’s next challenge awaits at the Portuguese Amateur in the New Year. He plans to use the holiday season to refine his game.
“It’s been a great year for me,” he said, referencing his English Under-18 Championship victory in July.
“Now it’s about enjoying Christmas, working on my game, and preparing for next season. My ambition next year is to play in the Junior Ryder Cup.”
A High-Quality Field
The boys’ competition saw England Men’s player Ben Bolton (Enville, Staffordshire) and Henry Styles (Romford, Essex) tie for second at -4, while Ben Sessions (Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire) finished fourth at -2.
In the girls’ division, Scotland’s Grace Crawford claimed the title, finishing ahead of England’s Lottie Woodham (West Hill, Surrey) by two shots.
Annabel Peaford (Walton Heath, Surrey) and Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale, Lancashire) shared third place, while Lila Bisset (The Northamptonshire) secured sixth.
Praise from a Champion
Tournament host and Ryder Cup star Justin Rose lauded the talent on display. “I’m glad I didn’t have to take these guys on,” Rose joked.
“The standard seems to be getting better and better. But it’s not just the quality of their games that’s really heartwarming to see – it’s the camaraderie of the group too. It’s exactly how golf should be.”
The Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship continues to solidify its reputation as a proving ground for the next generation of golf stars.
With young talents like Rusbridge and Crawford leading the way, the future of the sport looks brighter than ever.
