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Girls' and Boys' Am
Highlights: Double delight for Sweden with victory at the Girls' and Boys' Amateurs
17 Aug 24
3 mins
Sweden enjoyed double delight in The R&A Girls’ and Boys’ Amateur championships after Havanna Torstensson and Viggo Olsson Mörk claimed memorable victories.
Torstensson surged to a 8&7 triumph over Matylda Krawczynska of Poland in the 36-hole Final at Alwoodley to win the 95th staging of the Girls’ Amateur. In the 97th edition of the Boys’ Amateur at nearby Moortown, Olsson Mörk came back from five down after 12 holes to defeat Scott Woltering from the Netherlands 4&3 in their showdown. Both players emerged victorious from the global 144-player fields at the renowned West Yorkshire venues this week.Boys’ Amateur Championship
Olsson Mörk capped a glorious week for Sweden with his impressive comeback in the Final. By virtue of his win, he earns exemptions into Final Qualifying for The Open, The Amateur Championship and the US Junior Boys’ Championship. The first Swedish winner since his friend, Albert Hansson in 2022, he joins other past champions including Sir Michael Bonallack, José María Olazábal, Sergio Garcia, Matthew Fitzpatrick and David Howell. “I tried to play my own game, using my 2 and 4-iron a lot to keep the ball in play,” said Olsson Mörk. “I think I only hit driver two times today. To win the 18th and go into the afternoon only one down felt like anything could happen. It’s been a great week for Sweden to win both titles. I know Havanna and she is an impressive player.” While Woltering was more attack-minded with the driver, the 17-year-old – who went to the same high school as PGA TOUR winner and Ryder Cup team member Ludvig Åberg – opted for a different strategy and used his long irons regularly. In a topsy-turvy morning session, Woltering, 18, settled quickest and surged to a four-up lead after only seven holes. Birdies at the 1st and 7th from the Dutch European boys’ team member and bogeys from his opponent at the 5th and 6th secured the advantage. Woltering then made key putts from 15 feet and five feet to halve both the 10th and 11th before he highlighted the Final at the par-5 12th.
Viggo Olsson Mork - Sweden
"To win the 18th and go into the afternoon only one down felt like anything could happen. It’s been a great week for Sweden to win both titles. I know Havanna and she is an impressive player.”
Three holes in-a-row
Having pushed his tee shot into the right rough, Woltering chipped out before flighting a pitching wedge down the hill from 160 yards into the hole for a stunning eagle. But Olsson Mörk refused to buckle and replied with a winning birdie at the 13th. The Swede then claimed three holes in-a-row after costly errors from Woltering at the 14th and 15th to reduce his deficit to two. A roar of delight took the Netherlands player back three ahead after a nine-feet birdie putt on the 16th, but he took two shots from a greenside bunker on the short 17th and then pulled his drive on the 18th to take a penalty drop and lose both holes. Woltering – winner of the Dutch national open match play this year – claimed the 19th with a birdie but a run of three bogeys then allowed his rival to lead for the first time at the 22nd. Woltering immediately replied after a glorious tee shot set up a winning birdie at the next but he was one down again when Olsson Mörk birdied the par-5 25th. He then misjudged his approach putt at the 28th for bogey and a two-hole deficit. As the Swede continued his steady play, Woltering bogeyed at the 31st to fall three down and another bogey at the 33rd ended the contest. “I can’t believe this,” said the victor. “I thought I could come back but I didn’t think it would actually happen. It felt far away, especially on the 12th after Scott holed for his eagle. I had lost count of how many I was behind. He then smashed a driver down the 13th and it wasn’t looking too good. “But I just tried to believe and knew there were many holes left to play. I did my absolute best to try and fight back. I received so many messages last night from family and friends back home about fighting and never giving up. It turned out pretty good. “Albert Hansson is a good friend of mine and he actually messaged me at lunch and said to keep fighting.”Girls’ Amateur Championship
Havanna Torstensson savoured the biggest win of her young career at the Girls’ Amateur. The 16-year-old put in a composed and clinical display to beat Krawczynska as she joined a decorated roll of honour which includes major champions and Solheim Cup players such as Suzann Pettersen, Anna Nordqvist, Azahara Munoz and Georgia Hall. Torstensson’s victory also gains her an exemption into Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open, The Women’s Amateur Championship, the US Girls’ Junior Championship and, by tradition, an invitation to compete at the Augusta National Women's Amateur Championship. Torstensson seized an early advantage with a birdie putt of six-feet on the 3rd hole of the morning’s opening round and, from then on, she was in total control. As Krawczynska, a three-time Polish junior champion, struggled to replicate the form that had swept her into the Final, Torstensson’s assured play fortified her position of authority and she was six-up through 11 holes. Krawczynska could not gain a foothold in the tussle but the 18-year-old trundled in a 25-footer on the 15th for a birdie to give herself a much-needed lift.
Havanna Torstensson - Sweden
"It’s the biggest win of my career. I’m so grateful to be the winner and I’m already looking forward to playing again next year."