Sophie Lamb serves up British stroke play title

England’s Sophie Lamb was the only player to beat par as she won the British women’s stroke play championship.

It’s a first women’s title for the 18-year-old international from Clitheroe, who posted a score of one under for 72 holes at Knock, in Belfast.

Lamb had her dad, Phil, on the bag as her caddie and said: “I couldn’t have done it without him.”

The teenager moved through the field after an opening four-over 77, which left her six shots off the pace.

She came back with 68 – six birdies and just one bogey – to put herself firmly in contention.

Lamb played solid golf in the third round, returning a one-under 72, but remained two shots behind the leader, 14-year-old Alessia Nobilio, of Italy.

Nobilio fell away in the final round while Lamb kept up her steady progress to the title.

She resisted the challenge of Chloe Williams, who finished two shots back, to close with a 74.

“I had nine straight pars to start, then a bogey and a double, but I had some birdies coming in,” said Lamb.

“I was focussed on playing my own game and trying to give myself chances.”

She has been challenging for a big win all season.

She was leading qualifier in the English match play, tied 4th in the English amateur and 6th in the English stroke play.

Lamb also helped England win the Women’s Home Internationals last month.

Steve Carroll

A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.

Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.

A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.

Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.

Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.

What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.