Opening Golf to the World
The Amateur
Elite golfers set for The Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire
12 Jun 26
5 mins
The spotlight shifts to the shores of England's northwest coast as The 131st Amateur Championship prepares to welcome an array of the world's leading amateur golfers next week (15 - 20 June).
Competing across two famed links venues - Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire - the elite international contingent will battle unrelenting coastal breezes, and one another, in pursuit of this esteemed amateur title.Echoes of 1885 at Hoylake
Returning to Royal Liverpool means a return to the very birthplace of this historic championship. It was on these fairways in 1885 that the inaugural Amateur Championship was contested by a modest field of 44 players representing just 12 clubs. Allan Macfie won the coveted prize for the first time, etching his name in history.
The winner of The Amateur Championship will gain an exemption into The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
The club was founded 14 years prior and initially laid out over nine holes by Robert Chambers, the son-in-law of the first captain, and George Morris, the younger brother of Old Tom Morris. It 1871, the course was extended to 18 holes and was awarded its Royal status in the same year.
In the 141 years since, Hoylake has evolved into a true cathedral of the sport, hosting countless historic majors, including The Open 13 times. Meanwhile, The Amateur Championship itself has cemented a towering legacy, serving as the ultimate proving ground for future legends of the game like Bobby Jones, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia long before they conquered the professional ranks.
A new generation will now get the chance to engrave their own names into that shared history when play gets under way on Monday.
West Lancashire’s record-breaking links
Sharing hosting duties for the stroke-play qualifying rounds is West Lancashire, a venue with its own piece of Amateur Championship history. The venue last co-hosted the championship in 2009 and it was during those qualifying rounds on West Lancashire’s layout that a prodigiously talented 16-year-old Matteo Manassero turned heads, firing a spectacular, amateur course-record 65.
At 16-year-old Matteo Manassero became the youngest winner of The Amateur Championship in 2009.
That sensational performance ignited an unforgettable week that culminated at co-host Formby, where the Italian made history by becoming the youngest-ever winner in the championship's history.
Following Fang’s footsteps
The incoming field needs to look no further than last year's drama at Royal St George’s to understand the grit required to win. Twelve months ago, America's Ethan Fang gave a masterclass in resilience during an unforgettable 36-hole final against Ireland’s Gavin Tiernan. Trailing early and matching his opponent blow-for-blow on the back nine, Fang demonstrated his composure under pressure, sinking a definitive five-foot birdie putt on the 36th hole to secure a dramatic victory by one hole. His triumph serves as the perfect blueprint for the 288 hopefuls arriving on the coast this week. While Fang won’t return to defend his title, as he will be competing in the US Open courtesy of his victory at Royal St George’s, runner up Tiernan will look to go that one-step better. The Irishman was a rank outsider ahead of The 130th Championship sitting 1340th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings® (WAGR®). He goes into this year’s competition in the top-300.
Ethan Fang, the winner of The 130th Amateur Championship.
Global talents and rising stars
The competitor list for this year's iteration is packed with in-form players capable of making their own history. Amongst them is 18-year-old Lev Grinberg, who arrives brimming with confidence following a dominant, seven-shot victory at the St Andrews Links Trophy. A powerful domestic contingent will look to keep the trophy on home soil, spearheaded by Scotland's Connor Graham - a player who has topped the stroke-play qualifying leaderboards in consecutive years. Graham will be joined in the field by fellow Walker Cup teammates Luke Poulter and Niall Shiels Donegan. Poulter, son of legendary golfer Ian, goes into the Championship as the top-ranked player at number nine on the WAGR®. The international threat is equally fierce, featuring elite global ball-strikers like Argentina’s Segundo Oliva Pinto and South Africa’s Malan Potgieter, both of whom possess the flight control necessary to challenge on a true links setup. Potgieter’s compatriot, and winner of the Africa Amateur Championship, Jack Buchanan will also look to etch his name on another R&A trophy. Another amateur looking to get their hands on the trophy and book their spot at The Open is Richard Teder. The Estonian provided a memorable moment at West Lancashire last year in Final Qualifying. Teder sparked wild scenes after holing out during the third play-off hole to book his spot at Royal Portrush. Teder has performed well in The Amateur, having made it to the quarter finals last year and in 2023.
Richard Teder celebrates with his caddie after holing out at West Lancashire last year in Final Qualifying for The Open.
The Ultimate Opportunity
Beyond a prestigious trophy, the champion receives life-changing opportunities to the absolute highest tier of professional golf. The champion will earn coveted exemptions into The 154th Open and the 2027 US Open, and by tradition, an invitation to the Masters Tournament at Augusta National. With championship admission entirely free for spectators, golf fans are guaranteed a front-row seat to watch the future of the sport unfold over two of England's finest layouts.Format
- The first two days will comprise a stroke play format across both Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire.
- From here the leading players will emerge into the match play rounds, taking place from Wednesday to Saturday at Royal Liverpool.
- The 36-hole final will be held on Saturday at Royal Liverpool.