England Boys youngster Charlie Rusbridge has won the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship at Quinta do Lago, Portugal.
Boys' winner Charlie Rusbridge (right) with Justin Rose (centre) and girls' winner Grace Crawford
The Colne Valley golfer won by a whopping eight shots, as he fired a superb -12 across the three rounds played from 9-11 December, to be crowned 2024 champion.
The 16-year-old from Essex said: “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."
Rusbridge’s next event won’t be until the New Year for the Portuguese Amateur. He added: “It’s been a great year for me. My victory at the English Under 18 Championship in July proved to me that I can compete and win against the best in this age-group. 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.”
England Men’s player Ben Bolton (Enville, Staffordshire) finished tied-2nd on -4 alongside Henry Styles (Romford, Essex), while Ben Sessions (Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire) was 4th on -2.
In the girls’ event, Scotland’s Grace Crawford was the champion, finishing ahead of England’s Lottie Woodham (West Hill, Surrey) who was two shots back in 2nd place. England Girls’ star Annabel Peaford (Walton Heath, Surrey) and England Women’s player Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale, Lancashire) were tied-3rd, while another England Squad player in Lila Bisset (The Northamptonshire) finished 6th.
2023 Ryder Cup star Rose was impressed with what he'd seen. “I’m glad I didn’t have to take these guys on," said Rose. "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 16-year-old from Essex said: “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."
Rusbridge’s next event won’t be until the New Year for the Portuguese Amateur. He added: “It’s been a great year for me. My victory at the English Under 18 Championship in July proved to me that I can compete and win against the best in this age-group. 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.”
England Men’s player Ben Bolton (Enville, Staffordshire) finished tied-2nd on -4 alongside Henry Styles (Romford, Essex), while Ben Sessions (Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire) was 4th on -2.
In the girls’ event, Scotland’s Grace Crawford was the champion, finishing ahead of England’s Lottie Woodham (West Hill, Surrey) who was two shots back in 2nd place. England Girls’ star Annabel Peaford (Walton Heath, Surrey) and England Women’s player Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale, Lancashire) were tied-3rd, while another England Squad player in Lila Bisset (The Northamptonshire) finished 6th.
2023 Ryder Cup star Rose was impressed with what he'd seen. “I’m glad I didn’t have to take these guys on," said Rose. "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.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org