MUNÕZ CROWNED GIRLS’ AMATEUR CHAMPION

Marta Muñoz defeated compatriot Adriana Garcia Terol 3&2 in the 36-hole all-Spanish Final to win the 97th staging of the Girls’ Amateur at Craigielaw in East Lothian.

In the first all-Spanish Final since the Championship began in 1919, 16-year-old Muñoz defeated her compatriot Garcia Terol in a tight match that could have gone either way.

“I’m so so happy to have won this great championship because this just proves that all the work I have done this year has paid off,” said Muñoz. “Adriana is a great player and a good friend – and it can be difficult to play a good friend. We’ve known each other since we were very young so I knew it was going to be a very tough match.”

Muñoz, who has committed to play college golf for the University of Arizona next September, earns exemptions into Final Qualifying for the 2027 AIG Women’s Open, the 2027 Women’s Amateur, the US Girls’ Junior Amateur and, by tradition, an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

She said, “Since I was a little girl, I’ve thought about playing in those great championships. So being there is going to be like a dream come true. I’m so happy for myself and my family who have supported me that they will get to enjoy these experiences with me.”

Muñoz’s father, Jose, flew from Madrid to Bristol the evening before, got four hours sleep, then connected to Edinburgh and arrived at the course as his daughter was walking up the 9th fairway in the morning round. He was there at the end to engulf his daughter in a huge embrace.

She added, “My dad being here today was a big help for me. I’m means a lot that he was able to see me win this.”

The R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur championships will be held in England at Burnham & Berrow and Prince’s respectively from 9-14 August in 2027.

Photo: Spain’s Marta Muñoz with the silverware after success in the 97th Girls’ Amateur Championship at Craigielaw. (Photo: R&A)