Lafeber triumphs in Boys’ Amateur Championship at County Louth
Dutch teenager delivers history-making victory in Ireland after dramatic play-off
Las Vegas - Guus Lafeber etched his name into golfing history by becoming the first Dutch winner of The R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship, defeating Spain’s Yago Horno on the first play-off hole at County Louth in Ireland.
The 17-year-old from the Netherlands, who arrived fresh from winning his national stroke play crown, never trailed in the 36-hole final and showed remarkable composure in winds gusting above 20 mph on the classic links north of Dublin.
“This is amazing for Dutch golf,” Lafeber said. “It’s the biggest championship I’ve won by far because the field is so strong. To do it on this fabulous golf course means even more, but I wanted to do it for my friend Scott. He came so close last year and to do it for him means a lot.”
The son of 2003 Dutch Open champion Maarten Lafeber, Guus looked set to claim the title in regulation after holing a clutch 15-footer for par on the 34th and following it with a 25-foot birdie at the next. But when he missed from six feet on the last green, the match went to extra holes where Horno’s scrambling finally faltered.
Aside from lifting the gold medal, Lafeber secured exemptions into next year’s Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire, as well as Final Qualifying for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale. “Wow! To play in the Amateur Championship and get a chance to qualify for the biggest tournament in golf is going to be amazing,” he said.