In a riveting twist of sibling rivalry, Chantal El Chaib of Foxhills stormed back from six shots down to edge out her sister Lara on the first play-off hole, seizing victory at the Women’s English Under 25 Championship.
Meanwhile, Jake Sowden from The Oaks erased a three-shot deficit to clinch the men’s title at Woburn Golf Club on Thursday.
Lara El Chaib started the final day with a slim one-shot lead over Wales’ Luca Thompson, while Chantal lagged six shots behind.
However, Chantal’s sensational spree of eight birdies, with a remarkable stretch from holes 13 to 16, catapulted her to the top of the leaderboard.
As Thompson faded to finish third, four shots off the pace, Lara’s level-par round set the stage for a play-off with her sister.
Chantal’s red-hot form persisted into the first playoff hole, where a steady par secured her a dramatic comeback win after Lara’s par putt missed its mark.
Reflecting on her victory, Chantal said, “It’s such an honour, honestly, I came here after the first round not expecting anything, as I played really bad.
I was 7-over but then after yesterday’s round, I built up some confidence. And I told my sister, actually, I was like, watch out, I might win.
“I just felt confident going into today’s round, and it’s just such an honour because it’s my first win in an England Golf tournament so it’s really cool.
The turning point for me was that I was holing putts, whereas for the last two days I couldn’t hole a single thing.
“I actually have no words, this has never happened. It’s our first tournament playing together in five years.
In the play-off, I was relaxed, obviously, because I was against my sister. I think that’s how I won – just by being relaxed and confident.”
Lara graciously accepted her sister’s triumph, saying, “I’ll accept the loss today. I mean, I played well this week.
I had a rough round the first day, but I played really well yesterday. Today was okay. It wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst.
At the end of the day, we’re sisters, it doesn’t really matter who wins here, our mum is happy either way!”
Elsewhere in the women’s competition, Ellie Lichtenhein from Buckinghamshire secured fourth place, while Madeleine Smith (Norwood Park) and Sophia Fullbrook (The Melbourne Club) shared fifth.
Lili-Rose Hunt (Droitwich) and English Women’s Stroke Play champion Lily Hirst (Huddersfield) finished tied for seventh.
Sowden Soars to Victory
The men’s event witnessed an equally thrilling conclusion. 2023 champion Mark Stockdale, enjoying the comforts of his home course, began the final day with a three-shot cushion.
But Jake Sowden’s composed round of 2-under par, highlighted by an eagle on the 15th and a birdie on the 17th, saw him clinch the title by a single shot, finishing at 8-under overall.
“It feels amazing,” Sowden shared. “I got off to a slow start today, but I had a really good chip-in on 15.
Mark chipped in on 16 then I had a birdie on 17 which was nice, as I struggled down that hole all week.
Then it was a really good par down the last, out of the trouble. It was a great battle but it’s really nice to bring it home.”
Sowden credited his mentor, James, for his patient approach, saying, “My mentor James, he was telling me that I just had to wait for a happening.
So I just stayed patient and trusted my game. It wasn’t the best and then, obviously on 15, when I chipped in, it sort of ignited the fire.”
As for his celebration plans, Sowden added with a smile, “I’m going to watch golf tomorrow!
I’ll be golfing Saturday, having a few family round and seeing some friends. I think my mate said we’re off to a nice steak restaurant which will be nice!”
The men’s leaderboard saw several impressive final-day performances. Frazer Jones (Kirkby Muxloe) and Freddie Turnell (Burnham & Berrow) tied for third at 4-under, while Ed Featherstone (Sheringham) surged to fifth with a final round of 3-under. South African Jack Buchanan posted the round of the day with a stunning 5-under.
For complete scores, view the final leaderboard.
