Charlie Rusbridge from Yorkshire emerged as the winner of the English U18 Championship at Hesketh GC in a thrilling fashion, securing a birdie on the second play-off hole to claim the title. Alongside Harrison Sewell from Northumberland and Daniel Hayes from Bramhall, Rusbridge finished tied for the lead after 72 holes, all three players finishing on -11 after four rounds of action in Southport. Rusbridge’s strong performance included an opening-day 67, followed by a +1 on Saturday and an impressive round of 66 on Sunday morning, where he aced the 2nd hole and eagled the 18th to sit joint-top of the leaderboard with a final round of -1.
Despite a shaky start with a +3 on day one, Sewell managed to bounce back with a -3 on day two and a strong performance on the morning of day three. In his final round, Sewell shot the Hesketh course record of -8, including an astounding eight birdies, which propelled him into the play-off. Hayes, on the other hand, had a level-par opening day but managed to force his way into the play-off with rounds of -5 and two rounds of -3 on Sunday, ending with an impressive birdie on the 72nd hole of the competition.
A tense play-off ensued with all three players parrying the first hole before Rusbridge secured a comfortable two-putt birdie on the second play-off hole (the par-5 18th) to become the English U18 champion. Rusbridge expressed his excitement about the win, describing the rollercoaster final day and his first-ever hole-in-one moment that propelled him to victory. Despite the challenges throughout the day, he acknowledged the battle with his playing partners and the significance of winning in a play-off scenario.
Out of 130 players, only five managed to shoot under-par at the event. Oscar Lent from Walton Heath finished in 4th place with an impressive -8 over four rounds, while Drew Sykes from Goodwood secured 5th place on -7, with a standout second round of 66 containing seven birdies. The intense competition and remarkable performances showcased the talent and skill of young golfers competing in the English U18 Championship.
As the leaderboard reflected the impressive scores and competitive nature of the event, it highlighted the dedication and hard work put in by the young golfers to excel in such a prestigious championship. The thrilling conclusion of the play-off and Rusbridge’s victory added to the excitement and drama of the tournament, leaving a memorable impression on participants and spectators alike. The event served as a platform for emerging talents in the world of golf to showcase their abilities and compete at a high level, setting a benchmark for future competitions and inspiring young aspiring golfers to strive for excellence in the sport.
