The third edition of the World Junior Golf Championship (WJGC) took
place in Spain between 19th and 21st February 2025, where 214
players from 37 countries competed in the event sponsored by the Daily
Mail, and juniors from nine different nationalities were crowned
champions.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Resort (Marbella) now certainly feels
like the home of the WJGC, as the simply breathtaking venue hosted the
event once again, with their magnificent hotel and two stunning courses
providing the perfect backdrop for this first major tournament on the
international junior golf calendar.
The 5* hotel is second to none, while the Alferini and Flamingos
Courses provide the sternest of tests befitting a World Junior
Championship. Thank you so much for having us and a massive shout
out to Andreas, Jorge, and the Caddie Master team, as well as Eva,
Alvaro and Mar, and all the hotel team! We look forward to returning
next year!
The weather in southern Spain could not have been better – perfect for
golf, sunny, without too much wind and not too warm.
Some incredible golf was again on display to cement the growing
reputation of this prestigious event. Well done, everyone!
Huge thanks once again to the Daily Mail for their headline sponsorship
– the opportunity for the juniors to have their name in print is priceless,
so many thanks to Lee Clayton, Daily Mail Global Publisher of Sport for
arranging this, and for the fantastic opening ceremony message!
Also many thanks to our other sponsors and supporters: blu-3, Grupo
GTA, TOA Shoes, Malaga Removals, Titleist, Levelwear, Andalucia Golf
TV, Benahavis Council, and of course, the DP World Tour.
Putting Competition Results (sponsored by blu-3)
Total distance from the hole for two putts
7&Under
Winner: Billy Stott, England (3680 mm)
8-9
Winner: Gonzalo Bernal Suarez, Spain (1370 mm)
10-11
Winner: Elena Ros Carrero, Spain (980 mm)
12-13
Winner: Marie Malhomme, France (1860 mm)
14-15
Winner: Rosie Boyle, England (1750 mm)
16-18
Winner: Bradley Whittle, England (2600 mm)
Par 3, 4 & 5 Results (sponsored by blu-3)
Alferini
Par 3: Marcus Latt, Estonia (-3)
Par 4: Fraser Walters, Scotland (-1)
Par 5: Marcus Latt, Estonia (-8)
Flamingos
Par 3: Marcus Karim, England (-2)
Par 4: Dmitrii Elchaninov, Russian Federation (-6)
Par 5: Dmitrii Elchaninov, Russian Federation (-1)
WAGR Results (combined 14-15 and 16-18 divisions)
14-year-old Fraser Walters (Scotland) topped the boys’ combined
leaderboard and in the process became ranked in the World Amateur
Golf Ranking – congratulations, Fraser!
13-year-old Sabrina Wong (Hong Kong), who played up a division,
headed the girls’ combined table to add to her existing total and improve
her WAGR position, which prior to the event was 720th – very
impressive!
Boys 16-18 – Champion – Jonnie Summerfield (England)
Jonnie (226) secured a 4-shot victory with +7 for the week, with a fine 73
on Day 2 putting him in control over Jamie Jackson (Eng) (230), who
couldn’t catch Jonnie on the final day. Oliver Brightman (Eng) (232)
grabbed third place.
Girls 16-18 – Champion – Anahie Lohner Hunzil (Switzerland)
Anahie (235) came from 1 behind on the final day to win by 2 with +16
for the week, ahead of Laura Czastka (Austria) (237), who ended with a
78 to rue a difficult second day. Benedetta Attili (Italy) (244) completed
the podium places in third.
Boys 14-15 – Champion – Fraser Walters (Scotland)
Fraser (213) made it a three-peat, winning his third consecutive WJGC
title! A phenomenal six under 67 on Day 2 was the highlight of a 17-shot
winning margin, finishing on -6 for the week. Alfie Turner (Eng) (230)
settled for the second place after a better final round over Ezra Hartland
(Eng) (235), who took third place.
Girls 14-15 – Champion – Sabrina Wong (Hong Kong)
Sabrina (218) had three excellent rounds to take her second Daily Mail
WJGC title with -1 for the week, this time by 15 shots over Ffion
Richardson (Wales) (233), who held on to second place ahead of Kirke
Kiige (Estonia), who made up five places on the final day with a fine
level par round to take third place.
Boys 12-13 – Champion – Marcus Latt (Estonia)
Marcus (217) showed what a classy player he is with three very
consistent rounds to finish on -2 for the week, seven shots clear of
Jesse Van Dooren (Netherlands) (224) in the runner-up position, as he
held Freddie Buck (Eng)(226) at bay on the final day with just two shots
separating them.
Girls 12-13 – Champion – Sophia Gamilla Karpa (Spain)
Sophia (214) became the second 3-time winner of the WJGC, as she
held her nerve to finish one over par for the week, to claim a 3-shot
victory over Stella Walters (217) after impressive matching 71s on the
final day. They finished clear of Ashling Poynton (Belgium) (225) in third.
Boys 10-11- Champion – Dmitrii Elchaninov (Russian Federation)
Dmitrii (216) was the third player this week to add a third WJGC title to
his CV, and deservedly so, as three sub-70 rounds saw him finish on -8,
13 shots ahead of second place, Marcus Karim (Eng) (218), who
improved every day and a level par final round kept Harrison Barnett
(Eng) (220) just behind him for third place.
Girls 10-11 – Champion – Chloe Ferneyhough (England)
Chloe (245) came from five behind to finish on +32 for the week,
overcame final round drama, and then edged a ‘sudden death’ playoff
against Zoey Sophia Papay (Slovakia) (245) to take her first WJGC title.
Zoey had to settle for the runner-up spot, while Ha My Nguyen (Viet
Nam) (253) completed the Top 3.