Daily Mail World Junior Golf Championship 2025
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.
WAGR Overall Rankings
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, from 720th prior to the event, to 623rd – 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.
Boys 8-9 - Champion - Elijah Gibbons (England)
Elijah (233) added a second WJGC to his trophy cabinet, as a fine level par round of 71 on Day 1 put him in control from the start and he finished on +20 for the week. Benji Botham (Northern Ireland) (240) leapfrogged Buster Airey (Eng) (241) on the final day to take second and third place, respectively, after a nerve-racking third round.
Girls 8-9 - Champion - Kamilla Del Mundo (Philippines)
Kamilla (111) fired a brilliant 34 for 9 holes on Day 2 to put her on top and then backed it up on the final day to finish +6 for the week and take the 2025 title by 8 shots over Mira Pasura (Eng) (119), who grabbed second place from Milly Sunouchi (Japan) (121), as they headed into the final round all square. However, Mira carded the better score in the final round.
Boys 7/Under - Champion - Nihaal Cheema (India)
Nihaal (101) went one place better than last year, as he deservedly took the WJGC title this time around; he finished 10 under par for the week after three flawless 9-hole rounds. Nine shots separated him from Pietro Salvati (Italy) (110), who also played superbly to finish under par for the week, while Nikita Elchaninov (Russian Federation) took third place just a single shot further back on level par in an outstanding division.
Girls 7/Under - Champion - Ana Gross Paneque (Spain)
Ana (139) topped the standings to take the WJGC Title for 2025 with +28, with three solid rounds that gave her a 4-stroke margin over Emy De Souza (France) (143) in second place, while Mila Tiemann (Sweden) (161) finished the week in third place.
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)
Our huge congratulations go to all the winners and we look forward to seeing you all in Spain in 2026 to defend your titles !
And last, but not least, thank you so much to our sponsors and supporters…
We look forward to seeing you back at Villa Padierna in 2026 – Applications for the 2026 event will open after the European Open at Le Touquet in France in August, but for now please save the dates: 23-27 February 2026!
In the meantime, the BJGT will be kicking-off its UK season on the 23rd March and will be bringing you over 28 events between then and October in England. The full schedule is available on the BJGT website and includes the BJGT 20th Anniversary Cup, 9-11 April.
