Olivia Mehaffey, world No 16 amateur, emphatically won the 30th Telegraph BMW Junior Championship girls’ title at Quinta do Lago while Jamie Li won his first final at the third – and last – time of asking after a thrilling one-shot victory in the boys’ event.
Mehaffey, a member at Royal County Down, triumphed by a staggering 16 shots for one of the biggest wining margins in Junior Championship history. The 17-year-old co-led after the first round with Eloise Healey but stamped her authority in the final two rounds to finish six under par after a 69 third round score. Reflecting on her victory, the champion from Northern Ireland said: “Whatever lead you have, it feels like everyone is breathing down your neck. I was shaky after three bogeys but managed to relax and enjoy the back nine.
“I looked at the honours board the other day and to win alongside the other girls is such an honour. It’s a great event and I’m really grateful to be a sponsors’ invite and win it. It’s my last ever junior competition and I put my year down to the hard work over the winter.”
This end of season victory at the prestigious 54-hole strokeplay Telegraph event adds to the Scottish, Irish and Welsh Open Amateur titles already won this year by the Irish girl who is destined to have a sparkling career in golf. Eloise Healey finished second after a 77 with Chloe Howard one behind on 78.
There was a dramatic, contrasting scenario in the boys’ tournament as Wentworth’s Daniel List finished third on level par and John Gough was runner up to the winner Jamie Li from Bath. Li, a two-time Telegraph finalist at Quinta do Lago, had held a two-shot lead overnight from Stoke Park’s Gough. However, Li’s round started badly when he conceded a two-stroke penalty for practising and grounding his club in a water hazard for a triple bogey six at a par 3. Gough quickly raced into a four-shot lead before Li rallied superbly on the back nine with four birdies for a final score of 70 and an overall 5 under par. His rival failed to claw back the deficit on the last hole and victory was assured. “It was the best I’ve ever putted on that back nine and this win feels great,” said Li. “I’ve finished my junior career on a real high and I’m extremely happy.”
This 2015 Telegraph BMW Junior Championship has again lived up to its reputation for providing terrific golf and showcasing golfing stars of tomorrow. Follow this year’s event including all the results on social media at www.facebook.com/telegraphjunior, Twitter: @TelegraphJunior and with Instagram: @TelegraphJunior .