Spanish teenager seals victory over Farah O’Keefe in one of the championship’s most thrilling finals
Paula Martin Sampedro of Spain emerged as the winner of the 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship after edging past Farah O’Keefe from the United States in a closely contested final at Nairn Golf Club in Scotland. The 19-year-old clinched the title with a 2&1 victory, becoming the first Spanish winner since Azahara Muñoz in 2009 and just the sixth from her country to earn the honor.
Major Championship Invitations Secured
With this win, Martin Sampedro earns entries into several major events, including this summer’s Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open, and two majors in 2026: the Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open. She will also receive invitations to compete in the Augusta National Women's Amateur and a Ladies’ European Tour event.
A Final to Remember
Ranked 12th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Martin Sampedro was eight-under-par across 35 holes, delivering a consistently high level of play. Her opponent, O’Keefe, currently world number eight, matched her stride for stride in a final that featured ten birdies, 26 pars, and no bogeys in the morning session alone.
Martin Sampedro never trailed in the match, though the margin was always slim. One of the standout moments came on the 24th hole, when she chipped in for birdie and followed it with a 15-foot putt on the next to go two up. O’Keefe fought back with a birdie and a remarkable eagle, leveling the match on the 28th hole. But critical misses down the stretch, including short putts on the 32nd and 33rd, allowed Martin Sampedro to pull ahead for good. The match ended on the 35th hole with a composed par from the Spaniard.
Reflecting on a Career Moment
“It honestly doesn't feel real yet,” Martin Sampedro said. “I feel like we both played great to the level of a Final of The Women's Amateur. I think we both need to be super happy but I'm definitely excited to call myself a champion.”
She credited her caddie and teammate Paula Francisco as a key part of her victory: “She's definitely been key for me. I don't think I would have been able to do this without her.”
O’Keefe remained upbeat despite the narrow loss. “It's a second-place finish. It's really good,” she said. “My time's coming. I just have to be patient.”
A Historic Venue and Looking Ahead
This year’s championship was only the second time Nairn hosted the Women’s Amateur, with the last dating back to 1979. Known for its rich history, Nairn is one of just nine venues to have staged all of the Walker Cup, Curtis Cup, The Amateur, and Women’s Amateur.
The R&A provided live coverage of the final stages, with highlights available on randa.tv and The R&A’s YouTube channel. Sky Sports also broadcasted the event in the UK.
The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship will take place at Muirfield from 22–27 June 2026. Full scoring from this year’s event can be found at randa.org.
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