With five birdies in her final six holes, Sadie Adams delivered a thrilling comeback to win the English Women’s Stroke Play Championship at Alwoodley.
Sadie Adams capped off a memorable week with a dramatic win at the English Women’s Stroke Play Championship, held at Alwoodley Golf Club. The 18-year-old stormed home with five birdies in her final six holes—including four straight to finish—to edge Davina Xanh by a single stroke and take the title on six-under-par.
The final day saw fierce competition, with just two shots separating nine players at one stage. But it was Adams, a member of the England Golf Women’s Squad, who emerged from the crowd with a remarkable closing stretch.
“I’m so happy!” said Adams, who had only just completed her final A-Level PE exam before the tournament began. “After a poor start, I told myself I could recover. I knew if I hit fairways, my approach play would give me chances.”
Adams’ path to the win wasn’t straightforward. After leading through the first two days, she dropped three shots in her first four holes of round three. A highlight eagle on the par-4 5th helped her stay in contention, and despite a three-over 76 that morning, she remained one shot clear heading into the final round.
Xanh Falls Just Short
Burnham & Berrow’s Davina Xanh carded a final-round 70 to finish on five-under. Her back-nine birdies looked to have secured the win, but a missed short putt on the 18th left the door open. Adams seized the moment, nearly holing out for eagle on the final hole to seal a one-shot victory.
Strong Performances Across the Field
Beaconsfield’s Ella Butteriss finished third at two-under, while last year’s champion Lily Hirst mounted a late charge to finish tied-fourth alongside Mexico’s Alexa Saldana at one-under.
The morning saw fireworks from Katie Stephens, who opened her third round with a blistering five-under front nine and finished with a tournament-best 67. However, a tough final round dropped her to tied-13th. Switzerland’s Victoria Levy also impressed with eight birdies in a morning 68 before fading in the afternoon.
Several others saw their title hopes slip away, including The Oaks’ Cherry Marley, who was in the mix until a triple-bogey on 11, and Wales’ Ffion Tynan and South Africa’s Bobbi Brown, who both finished tied-sixth.
Next year, the championship will move to Ganton Golf Club in Yorkshire.
