Ireland’s Ollie McEvoy captured the 2026 McGregor Trophy in dramatic fashion, defeating Finland’s Valtteri Lindroos on the second play-off hole after the pair finished tied on 3-over-par at Clitheroe Golf Club.
McEvoy sealed victory with a birdie, becoming the first Irish winner of the prestigious boys’ championship since compatriot Mark Gazi triumphed at Sherwood Forest in 2022.
The McGregor Trophy boasts a distinguished roll of honour featuring Ryder Cup star and England Golf Hall of Famer Justin Rose, former European Tour winner Edoardo Molinari, Marco Penge, and Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard. For McEvoy, the victory was also a measure of redemption after suffering defeat in a Reid Trophy play-off two years ago.
“I’m absolutely delighted. Just beyond belief, I can’t really believe it to be honest! This is definitely my best achievement in a stroke play tournament. 100%, it’s the best so far!
“I just about got it over the line in my proper round to get into the play-off, I held a birdie putt on the 18th and then in the play-off, I pulled a 3-wood out that I haven’t hit all week for my second shot. I managed to stick it into 20 feet and take the two putts for birdie, and I couldn’t quite believe it.
“I was really nervous at the start because I thought I’d thrown it away in the last few holes of my final round and then I settled down. That birdie putt on 18 definitely gave me momentum and confidence with my putter and then the confidence in my swing to carry it into the play-off.”
On joining the likes of Rose, Molinari, Penge and Højgaard, he added: “It’s unbelievable! Quite surreal to be honest! It’s something you dream of.”
The final day began with England’s Max Blake (Corhampton), a member of the England Golf South Region squad, charging to the top of the leaderboard. Blake produced the round of the championship in the morning’s third round, carding a superb 5-under-par 66. His impressive effort featured six birdies and just a single bogey as he surged through the field to open up a four-shot advantage heading into the final round.
However, on a week where Clitheroe had consistently provided a stern test, Blake was unable to maintain his momentum. A difficult start followed by an unfortunate double bogey at the 9th saw his challenge fade, while overnight leaders Inaki de la Macorra Escobar (Spain) and Thomas James (Frilford Heath) also slipped back after struggling to reproduce their earlier form.
As the leaders faltered, Lindroos emerged as the player making the biggest move. The 15-year-old Finn fired a brilliant 3-under-par 68 in the final round, highlighted by a stunning eagle at the par-5 13th.
With scoring proving difficult throughout the week, Lindroos’ round stood out even further as it was the only under-par score of the afternoon. His charge lifted him into the clubhouse lead on 3-over-par, leaving him facing a lengthy wait to discover whether it would be enough. The closest challenger was McEvoy, who began the final round five shots adrift of the lead.
The Irishman steadily climbed the leaderboard with a 2-under-par front nine before navigating a rollercoaster back nine. Standing on the final hole knowing a birdie was required to force a play-off, McEvoy found trouble from the tee as his drive drifted right towards the trees. Showing remarkable composure, he recovered brilliantly with his second shot back into position before pitching to 10 feet. With the championship hanging in the balance, McEvoy confidently sunk his birdie putt to draw level with Lindroos and send the tournament into a play-off.
The pair returned to the 10th for the opening play-off hole, where both players found the fairway and produced quality approach shots. Despite creating birdie opportunities, neither could convert as they settled for pars. Back down the 18th for the second play-off hole, both once again split the fairway. McEvoy’s approach found the green, setting up an eagle chance. Although the lengthy putt narrowly missed, he left himself a makeable birdie effort and converted to apply the pressure. Lindroos responded admirably after his approach finished left near the 9th green. The Finn produced an excellent recovery chip and gave himself a birdie chance, but his putt slipped beyond the hole, and he was forced to settle for par, handing McEvoy the title.
Spain’s Javier Perez-Tasso Rodriguez was another player to make significant progress during the third round. A 2-under-par 69 featuring four birdies and two bogeys moved him into contention, with three of those birdies coming during an impressive burst across holes 11, 12 and 13. He eventually finished 3rd on 6-over-par following a closing 75.
There was consolation for Lindroos in the Jean Case Memorial Trophy, awarded to the championship’s leading under-15 player. The Finn claimed the honour comfortably, finishing six shots clear of England’s Alfie Turner.
In the Nations Cup, contested over the opening 36 holes, Italy (1) took top honours. Luca Di Mauro and Alessandro Comparone combined for a team total of 3-over-par, one stroke ahead of England’s trio of AJ van Emmenis, Turner and George Cooper.
The 2027 McGregor Trophy will be held at Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire. View the final leaderboard here.
The McGregor Trophy boasts a distinguished roll of honour featuring Ryder Cup star and England Golf Hall of Famer Justin Rose, former European Tour winner Edoardo Molinari, Marco Penge, and Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard. For McEvoy, the victory was also a measure of redemption after suffering defeat in a Reid Trophy play-off two years ago.
“I’m absolutely delighted. Just beyond belief, I can’t really believe it to be honest! This is definitely my best achievement in a stroke play tournament. 100%, it’s the best so far!
“I just about got it over the line in my proper round to get into the play-off, I held a birdie putt on the 18th and then in the play-off, I pulled a 3-wood out that I haven’t hit all week for my second shot. I managed to stick it into 20 feet and take the two putts for birdie, and I couldn’t quite believe it.
“I was really nervous at the start because I thought I’d thrown it away in the last few holes of my final round and then I settled down. That birdie putt on 18 definitely gave me momentum and confidence with my putter and then the confidence in my swing to carry it into the play-off.”
On joining the likes of Rose, Molinari, Penge and Højgaard, he added: “It’s unbelievable! Quite surreal to be honest! It’s something you dream of.”
The final day began with England’s Max Blake (Corhampton), a member of the England Golf South Region squad, charging to the top of the leaderboard. Blake produced the round of the championship in the morning’s third round, carding a superb 5-under-par 66. His impressive effort featured six birdies and just a single bogey as he surged through the field to open up a four-shot advantage heading into the final round.
However, on a week where Clitheroe had consistently provided a stern test, Blake was unable to maintain his momentum. A difficult start followed by an unfortunate double bogey at the 9th saw his challenge fade, while overnight leaders Inaki de la Macorra Escobar (Spain) and Thomas James (Frilford Heath) also slipped back after struggling to reproduce their earlier form.
As the leaders faltered, Lindroos emerged as the player making the biggest move. The 15-year-old Finn fired a brilliant 3-under-par 68 in the final round, highlighted by a stunning eagle at the par-5 13th.
With scoring proving difficult throughout the week, Lindroos’ round stood out even further as it was the only under-par score of the afternoon. His charge lifted him into the clubhouse lead on 3-over-par, leaving him facing a lengthy wait to discover whether it would be enough. The closest challenger was McEvoy, who began the final round five shots adrift of the lead.
The Irishman steadily climbed the leaderboard with a 2-under-par front nine before navigating a rollercoaster back nine. Standing on the final hole knowing a birdie was required to force a play-off, McEvoy found trouble from the tee as his drive drifted right towards the trees. Showing remarkable composure, he recovered brilliantly with his second shot back into position before pitching to 10 feet. With the championship hanging in the balance, McEvoy confidently sunk his birdie putt to draw level with Lindroos and send the tournament into a play-off.
The pair returned to the 10th for the opening play-off hole, where both players found the fairway and produced quality approach shots. Despite creating birdie opportunities, neither could convert as they settled for pars. Back down the 18th for the second play-off hole, both once again split the fairway. McEvoy’s approach found the green, setting up an eagle chance. Although the lengthy putt narrowly missed, he left himself a makeable birdie effort and converted to apply the pressure. Lindroos responded admirably after his approach finished left near the 9th green. The Finn produced an excellent recovery chip and gave himself a birdie chance, but his putt slipped beyond the hole, and he was forced to settle for par, handing McEvoy the title.
Spain’s Javier Perez-Tasso Rodriguez was another player to make significant progress during the third round. A 2-under-par 69 featuring four birdies and two bogeys moved him into contention, with three of those birdies coming during an impressive burst across holes 11, 12 and 13. He eventually finished 3rd on 6-over-par following a closing 75.
There was consolation for Lindroos in the Jean Case Memorial Trophy, awarded to the championship’s leading under-15 player. The Finn claimed the honour comfortably, finishing six shots clear of England’s Alfie Turner.
In the Nations Cup, contested over the opening 36 holes, Italy (1) took top honours. Luca Di Mauro and Alessandro Comparone combined for a team total of 3-over-par, one stroke ahead of England’s trio of AJ van Emmenis, Turner and George Cooper.
The 2027 McGregor Trophy will be held at Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire. View the final leaderboard 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