Ethan Fang of america of America has received The 130thAmateur Championship after a tense 36-hole Closing towards Eire’s Gavin Tiernan at Royal St George’s.
In a carefully contested match, the seventh-ranked participant within the World Novice Golf Rankings® (WAGR®) defeated the 1340th-ranked Tiernan by one-hole to change into the twenty third champion from america and first since Drew Weaver in 2007.
In addition to including his title to an esteemed record of champions, the 20-year-old Oklahoma State College scholar secured his place in The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush, the US Open and, by custom, an invite to compete on the Masters Event. Along with the three main championships, he has earned an exemption into the Betfred British Masters hosted by Nick Faldo on the DP World Tour.
Fang and Tiernan, the final two gamers standing from the 288-player discipline representing 45 international locations, went shot-for-shot over the primary 18 holes. The Irishman took an early one-up benefit with constant golf, whereas his opponent battled early nerves.
FANG FRIEND
Fang, who had his childhood pal, Will Livermore, on his bag, shortly recovered to degree the match after 14-holes with a conceded eagle. Nevertheless, Tiernan regained the lead earlier than the break with a exact tee shot on the par-3 sixteenth, establishing a brief birdie putt. He halved the sixteenth and seventeenth holes to finish a powerful morning session, wherein he was by no means behind.
After lunch, Fang returned because the extra constant of the pair, biting again to hit the entrance for the primary time on the twenty third gap. Typical of their contest, Tiernan answered with a conceded eagle on the twenty fifth and the pair went into the closing 9 holes all sq..
With the duo by no means separated by greater than a gap, Fang lastly put some house between himself and his opponent, who seemed fatigued after enjoying 139-holes earlier than right now’s Closing. Fang moved two holes clear after the thirty third following a birdie and a par, however Tiernan’s resilience was on full show for the massive crowd that had gathered to witness an epic end.
To their delight, Tiernan conjured some extra magic, rolling in two prolonged birdie putts on the thirty fourth and 35thholes to attract degree with one to play.
Nevertheless, Fang proved why he’s one of many world’s high novice skills, delivering two distinctive golf swings worthy of the champion to set-up a five-foot birdie putt for the title. After Tiernan’s birdie try shaved the sting, Fang calmly rolled within the profitable putt, securing an novice career-defining achievement.
Fang’s title now sits alongside Sir Michael Bonallack, Jose Maria Olazabal, Sergio Garcia, and extra not too long ago, Aldrich Potgieter as novice champions.
That is the fifteenth time The Novice Championship has been performed at Royal St George’s. Solely Royal Liverpool (18) and St Andrews (16) have hosted on extra events.
The 131st Novice Championship might be performed at Royal Liverpool from 15 – 20 June 2026.
Key Quotes:
Ethan Fang, USA, a hundred and thirtieth Novice Champion
“It feels nice. Nonetheless doesn’t really feel actual but. However I’m positive it’ll kick in, and I’ll have fun with my workforce.
“I used to be hitting it properly all day, and I knew if I simply stayed in it, some putts would drop, type of have him work for it, and it ended up understanding.
“They’ve (his dad and mom) helped me loads all through the years, and it’s lastly good to see me lastly win one. I’m simply able to have fun with them.
“I heard going into the week that an American hasn’t received this championship in ten plus years. Representing your flag, that’s what it’s all about, and I’m glad we did it for USA.
“The Masters, The Open, I’m simply glad it’s all finished now, and I can simply take a second to consider all the things I did this week and simply type of get pleasure from it.
“It’s in all probability probably the most constant golf I’ve performed in my life. It’s an excellent lengthy championship, it and simply feels actually good to lastly get it finished.” Gavin Tiernan, Eire
“I’m drained. Clearly, I’m disenchanted. It was contact and go the entire time. However he hit a incredible shot in on 18. I made a few foolish errors across the center a part of the back-nine, and that actually price me, after which needed to make up for it with birdies on 16 and 17. He hit an incredible shot in. Only a nice birdie. Honest play to him.”
“You’re type of pumped up, so that you’re not feeling the tiredness an excessive amount of. However I’ll undoubtedly sleep tonight.
“I’m right here and I nonetheless really feel like I’m the perfect participant right here, although I misplaced. I made loads of foolish errors that would have been prevented. I believe if I performed to my capabilities, I may beat anybody. Clearly, it’s recent; I simply misplaced on the final gap, in order that doesn’t really feel nice. However I do know within the subsequent couple of days, in reviewing it, I’ll be fairly proud of it.”
