KARIM WINS REID TROPHY

Golfer's Companion August 8, 2026 2 min read

Hertfordshire’s Marcus Karim produced three rounds of impressive golf to claim the 2026 Reid Trophy, winning the English Boys’ Under 14 Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship by one shot at Porters Park Golf Club.

The 12-year-old East Herts golfer, who is also a member of the England Golf Thames Valley Regional Squad, carded rounds of 70, 71 and 71 to finish on 2-over-par and secured a one-shot victory, becoming the first English player to win the championship since Kris Kim triumphed at the same venue in 2021.

Fellow Hertfordshire player Freddie Buck (Hadley Wood) and France’s Alan Rode finished tied for 2nd on 3-over-par.

Karim said: “It feels amazing to be honest! I’m speechless at the minute. I got off to quite a slow start, I wasn’t holing many putts, but as the round went on I held a really good putt on 10 for birdie and it gave me a lot of momentum. “

“I definitely knew I had a chance, but I was nervous pretty much the whole way round. I could see the scoreboard behind me, and I had to wait at the end. I couldn’t move a muscle; I was just hitting a few putts in case it went to a play-off. It was unfortunate for Alan [Rode], but I’m really pleased. “

Despite the disappointment, Rode can look back on another strong performance during an excellent season which has included victory at the Belgian International Under 14 Championship and a number of top-10 finishes.

Joining Rode on 3-over-par was Buck, who produced a strong finish to the championship. The Hadley Wood golfer carded a level-par round of 70, his best score of the week, featuring three birdies, including one at the last.

Golf Ireland’s Tom Doyle recorded the lowest round of the final day, firing the only under-par score in the field with a 1-under 69 to finish 4th on 4-over-par overall. Spain’s Sergio Vargas Tejerina and Dennetiere, who steadied himself on the back-nine completed the top five.