REPORT FROM RAIN-INTERRUPTED FINAL DAY AT QUINTA DO LAGO

LOPES AND CLYBURN ARE TELEGRAPH

JUNIOR CHAMPIONS ON ALGARVE

 

Vitor Lopes, the sponsors’ invite, produced a fine performance to claim the 2014 Telegraph BMW Junior Championship boys’ title at the prestigious Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal, holding off a stiff challenge from Rhys Nevin-Wharton.

Lopes, Portugal’s number one, fought off first-round leader Nevin-Wharton to clinch victory on the resort’s redeveloped North Course, while India Clyburn’s success in the girls’ event was far a tighter affair.

Clyburn was chased all the way by Lily Downs, who finished just two shots shy of the current English Girls Amateur champion, having started the day six shots adrift.

“I knew I had to focus and be cold-blooded when he got two behind,” said Lopes. “I know how big it is to win this tournament and I’m thrilled the way I played.

“We had a great final group and I just tried to focus on myself. I tried not to speak too much.”

Meanwhile, Nevin-Wharton, the Cheshire 16-year-old, rose to the challenge on the testing North Course.

He finished with a course record-equalling four under par 68, as did Lopes and Ashton Turner, the defending boys’ champion.

Turner was suffering from a snapped tendon in his knee and finished on level par for the week, one behind Ollie Farrell in third place.

On a rain-interrupted day, North Yorkshire’s Downs soon closed the gap to two shots in the girls’ event.

A returning finalist, she played with rhythm and consistency at Quinta do Lago, notably on her up and downs.

She was also helped by Clyburn’s two double bogeys on Friday.

The late drama unfolded on the 15th where she overcooked and found that her ball had landed by a root.

Moments later Clyburn, sister to Ladies Tour player, Holly, held a one-stroke lead.

“It was so tough out there, especially with two doubles,” admitted Clyburn.

“I was getting angry with myself and in the end I lost count  of my score and didn’t know what to do. I just tried to do something in the final three holes.”

She secured a fine birdie on the 16th before relief sunk in two holes later.

“It’s great to add my name on the trophy and all the things that come with winning this,” she added.

Both junior winners will now play in next year’s BMW Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth, an initiative first revealed by Paul McGinley at last year’s Finals.

“I actually thought about this on the way round,” admitted Clyburn. “Now that I’ve won, it will be awesome experience to play alongside the professionals.”

For more details about the 2014 Telegraph BMW Golf Championship, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/juniorgolf

For further information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com .

Call

Send SMS

Add to Skype

You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype