English U25 Championship: Chantal wins battle of sisters

Lara El Chaib led by a single shot ahead of Wales’ Luca Thompson heading into the final day, with sister Chantal (above right) six shots back. However, Chantal’s stunning spell of eight birdies, including four on the spin from holes 13-16, saw her rocket to the top of the leaderboard.

While Thompson slipped away to finish 3rd and four shots back of the lead, Lara’s level-par round meant a play-off with her sister, but Chantal’s hot form stretched into the 1st play-off hole as she made par before Lara’s par putt missed, handing her sister an incredible comeback victory.

Chantal said: "It's such an honour, honestly, I came here after the first round not expecting anything, as I played really bad. I was 7-over but then after yesterday's round, I built up some confidence. And I told my sister, actually, I was like, watch out, I might win.

"I just felt confident going into today's round, and it's just such an honour because it's my first win in an England Golf tournament so it's really cool. The turning point for me was that I was holing putts, whereas for the last two days I couldn't hole a single thing.

"I actually have no words, this has never happened. It's our first tournament playing together in five years. In the play-off I was relaxed, obviously, because I was against my sister. I think that's how I won - just by being relaxed and confident."

Sister Lara added: "I'll accept the loss today. I mean, I played well this week. I had a rough round the first day, but I played really well yesterday. Today was okay. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst. At the end of the day, we're sisters, it doesn't really matter who wins here, our mum is happy either way!"

Elsewhere in the women’s event, Ellie Lichtenhein (Buckinghamshire) finished 4th with Madeleine Smith (Norwood Park) and Sophia Fullbrook (The Melbourne Club) tied-5th. Lili-Rose Hunt (Droitwich) finished tied-7th alongside last month’s English Women’s Stroke Play winner Lily Hirst (Huddersfield).

Sowden soars to victory

In the men’s event, 2023 champion Mark Stockdale, playing at his home course, approached the final day with a three-shot advantage but Sowden’s round of -2 saw him win the event by a single shot, thanks to an eagle on 15 and a birdie on 17 taking him to -8 overall.

Sowden said: "It feels amazing. I got off to a slow start today, but I had a really good chip-in on 15. Mark chipped in on 16 then I had a birdie on 17 which was nice, as I struggled down that hole all week. Then it was a really good par down the last, out of the trouble. It was a great battle but it's really nice to bring it home."

View the full leaderboard for the English U25 Championships here.