The 18-year-old from Longhirst Hall, who heads to the University of Texas next year, finished the season more than 500 points clear after a Curtis Cup appearance and a first major place.
Charlotte Naughton has become the first winner of the Women’s European Amateur Order of Merit, taking the title by more than 500 points. She earns an EGA gold medal and an invitation to compete on the Ladies European Tour.
The win in Sweden
Naughton began the year with a string of top-five finishes, but victory at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship in Sweden was the defining moment. It also earned her a place at the 2026 AIG Women’s Open, her first major.
“Winning one of the most prestigious tournaments in Europe is my biggest achievement to date and I’m so proud my hard work paid off,” she said.
She names the Curtis Cup as another highlight. “Being part of Team GB&I had been a dream of mine for the longest time,” she said. “It was so much fun being able to test my game against the top American amateurs.”
A season of results
The rest of her year was just as consistent. Naughton won the Junior Orange Bowl in the USA and finished third at the German International Women’s Amateur. She was third in the individual standings at the European Nations Cup, where England’s tied-second finish matched their best ever.
She was also part of the England team that took bronze at the European Ladies’ Team Championship and won the Women’s Home Internationals. She finished in the top five at the Portuguese Amateur Championship too.
At the St Rule Trophy she won the Lawson Trophy as leading under-18 player for the third year running, having finished second overall in 2024 and 2025 and tied-fifth this year.
What comes next
Next year her focus shifts to America. “My targets for 2027 are to have a successful freshman year at the University of Texas, to continue to represent my county, and to put myself in contention at high-level tournaments,” she said.
Naughton credits the England set-up for developing her game, and the coaching team for their support and advice over the years. She also thanked her family. “The love and support from my family has helped me so much throughout my golf journey,” she said.
