It was a day of high drama and strong performances at the Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur Championships, with English sisters Emily and Annabel Peaford keeping the dream of a sibling showdown alive.
Competing at The R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship at Alwoodley, the Walton Heath twins, both just 15, navigated their way through the first round of match play.
If they each secure a win in their next round, they will face off in the last-16, setting the stage for a family battle.
Meanwhile, at the Boys’ Amateur Championship, top stroke play qualifier Mads Heller displayed his grit with a nail-biting victory at Moortown, though it wasn’t such a happy ending for local favourite Josh Stephens, whose run came to an end.
Thursday promises more excitement as the last-32 and last-16 ties unfold at both Yorkshire venues.
Girls’ Amateur Championship
Emily Peaford, in her debut appearance at the Girls’ Amateur, made a strong start, clinching a 4&3 victory over Italy’s Matilde Zocchi.
The match swung in Emily’s favour around the turn, with a pivotal 25-foot birdie putt on the 8th hole giving her the edge.
She built on that momentum with additional birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, cruising to a commanding win.
Annabel Peaford was equally impressive, dispatching Germany’s Antonia Steiner with a 3&1 victory.
Fresh off her career-best win at the European Young Masters last month, Annabel maintained her stellar form, sinking birdie putts on the 2nd and 3rd holes to establish an early and decisive lead.
Top stroke play qualifier Manon Petitcolas of France faced a stern test from fellow countrywoman Axelle Guillemard, but held her nerve to secure a two-hole victory on the 18th green.
One of the day’s standout performances came from Angela Zhang of the USA, who showcased why she’s considered a rising star in junior golf.
Zhang, a prolific winner in her age group and a qualifier for the US Women’s Open at just 14, dominated Germany’s Sophie Bingel with a 5&4 victory, taking control of the match early and never letting go.
France’s Sara Brentcheneff, ranked 105th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking® (WAGR®), lived up to her billing with a comfortable 5&4 win over Germany’s Clara Duerr.
However, it was a tough day for Sweden’s Ebba Lundqvist, the second-highest stroke play qualifier, who was knocked out by Spain’s Clara Sanchiz in a 2&1 upset.
Last year’s runner-up, Spain’s Martina Navarro Navarro, endured a marathon match against Italy’s Paris Appendino, finally prevailing on the 21st hole of a tense encounter.
Boys’ Amateur Championship
Mads Heller, 17, found himself in deep trouble during his last-64 match against England’s Charlie Crocker.
Trailing by two holes with just three to play, the Dane clawed his way back to all square by the 18th.
Both players found themselves in difficulty off the tee on the final hole, with neither able to avoid a double bogey. It took a brilliant chip from Heller on the 19th hole to set up a winning birdie, allowing him to escape with a dramatic victory.
Finland’s Leevi Hellberg, who finished second in stroke play qualifying, also continued his strong run with a 3&2 win over France’s Corentin Guilloux, earning his spot in the last-32.
England’s Ben Bolton, representing the national boys’ squad, knocked out another French player, Callixte Alzas, with a clutch birdie on the final hole to win 2&1.
Bolton, who had previously played an international match against France at Moortown, used his course knowledge to good effect.
Fellow Englishmen Charlie Rusbridge, Finlay Rennie, and Samuel Marshall also advanced to the next round.
There was disappointment for the home crowd as Moortown member Josh Stephens bowed out, losing 2&1 to Sweden’s Edwin Sjodin after a tightly contested match.
Among the day’s biggest winners was Scott Woltering from the Netherlands, who dispatched Spain’s Inigo Aguirre with a 5&3 victory.
Scotland’s Aidan Lawson, fresh off his win at the European Young Masters, fought hard but was ultimately edged out by Sweden’s Enzo Persson on the 20th hole.
