England Golf Boys’ Squad star Charlie Rusbridge has become the first English player to win the French Boys’ Amateur Championship since 1988, after an intense 41-hole final against Czech Republic’s Matous Zach at Golf du Prieuré.
The Colne Valley golfer is the first winner of the Carlhian Trophy since James Cook won the title 37 years ago, and he joins the list of previous winners which include stars of the game like Sergio Garcia and Nicolas Colsaerts.
17-year-old Charlie battled his way through the week, finishing 3rd in the stroke play stages of the first two days, before beating opposition from Belgium, France and the USA in the match play stages to make the 36-hole final on Monday.
After 25 holes, Charlie found himself 4-up and despite one of the “shots of his life” on 15, which saw him secure a tap-in eagle, his opponent fought back to take the match to extra holes.
And after four pars apiece, on the 41st hole, Charlie stuck his 111-yard approach to less than a foot for a tap-in birdie, while Matous three-putted to give Charlie victory.
Charlie revealed: “It means a lot to win this. I had a bit of a shaky start to the season and it hasn’t been what I wanted, but I worked hard, so to see it pay off is pretty cool.
“A 41-hole match for a final isn’t exactly normal but one of the standout moments was on the 15th, where I hit one of the best shots of my life from 205 yards stiff for a tap-in eagle, and that still wasn’t enough to win the match!
“I was 2-up with three to play and he birdied 16 and I hit a bad tee shot on 17. I knew I was tired and I wasn’t hitting it great, so I was just trying to hit sensible shots and just kept telling myself to stay patient. I just kept thinking that if it was meant to be my time, it would be, and thankfully, it was.”
Asked about celebrations he joked: “It’ll be driving to the Channel Tunnel and going home!
“It’s been a pretty cool week but I’m looking forward to next week as it will be my first full England Men’s cap when we take on Spain, and then there’s the Lytham Trophy after that.”
Elsewhere, fellow England Golf Boys’ Squad player Harry Cox was knocked out in the last 16 by eventual finalist Matous, while England’s Kris Kim bowed out at the quarter-final stages. Check out all the results here.
17-year-old Charlie battled his way through the week, finishing 3rd in the stroke play stages of the first two days, before beating opposition from Belgium, France and the USA in the match play stages to make the 36-hole final on Monday.
After 25 holes, Charlie found himself 4-up and despite one of the “shots of his life” on 15, which saw him secure a tap-in eagle, his opponent fought back to take the match to extra holes.
And after four pars apiece, on the 41st hole, Charlie stuck his 111-yard approach to less than a foot for a tap-in birdie, while Matous three-putted to give Charlie victory.
Charlie revealed: “It means a lot to win this. I had a bit of a shaky start to the season and it hasn’t been what I wanted, but I worked hard, so to see it pay off is pretty cool.
“A 41-hole match for a final isn’t exactly normal but one of the standout moments was on the 15th, where I hit one of the best shots of my life from 205 yards stiff for a tap-in eagle, and that still wasn’t enough to win the match!
“I was 2-up with three to play and he birdied 16 and I hit a bad tee shot on 17. I knew I was tired and I wasn’t hitting it great, so I was just trying to hit sensible shots and just kept telling myself to stay patient. I just kept thinking that if it was meant to be my time, it would be, and thankfully, it was.”
Asked about celebrations he joked: “It’ll be driving to the Channel Tunnel and going home!
“It’s been a pretty cool week but I’m looking forward to next week as it will be my first full England Men’s cap when we take on Spain, and then there’s the Lytham Trophy after that.”
Elsewhere, fellow England Golf Boys’ Squad player Harry Cox was knocked out in the last 16 by eventual finalist Matous, while England’s Kris Kim bowed out at the quarter-final stages. Check out all the results here.
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