Staff WriterThe European Nations Cup ended in a cloud of English dust at Sotogrande on Saturday, with England Men winning by 14 shots and Eliot Baker producing the sort of week that leaves the rest of the leaderboard staring at their shoelaces. England finished at a whopping 31-under-par, the same winning margin they managed in 2025, while France were left in second on 17-under.
That is not a win. That is a firm and tidy dismantling.
And at the centre of it all was Baker, who took the individual men’s title at 15-under, set a new tournament scoring record, and carved his name into England team history in the same swing.
England turn the European Nations Cup into a procession
There are victories that wobble and victories that roar. This one barely broke sweat.
England’s four-man side of Eliot Baker, Ben Bolton, Kris Kim and Tom Osborne had too much depth, too much control and too many birdies for the field. With the best three scores from four counting, they were relentless across the week, the kind of team performance that turns a prestigious international event into a rather one-sided argument.
By the end, the numbers looked almost rude. England at 31-under. France 14 shots back. No late drama, no nervous glances, no calculators required.
Just command.
England Golf Men’s Captain Ben Gorvett added: “It was a fantastic team performance with all players contributing. These players wore the Rose with pride and their quality shone through which is what we want from our England Teams.”
Eliot Baker saves his best for last
Baker’s week had already been excellent. Then came the finish.
The Tiverton player closed with five consecutive birdies over the final five holes, which is the golfing equivalent of putting your feet up while everyone else is still trying to open the tin. It sealed not only the individual title, but a record score of 15-under for the tournament, which also stands as England’s best individual return in this event.
Across four rounds, he piled up 21 birdies. That is not accidental golf. That is a player seeing lines clearly, trusting the strike, and making the course look much smaller than it really is.
In team competition, that kind of scoring is pure gold. In individual competition, it tends to slam the door.
Bolton, Kim and Osborne supply the steel behind the sparkle
Baker may have grabbed the headline, but England’s win was built on more than one hot hand.
Ben Bolton finished third in the individual standings at 11-under, an outstanding return in its own right and a major reason England never looked vulnerable. Kris Kim and Tom Osborne added the sort of steady, high-grade support every winning side needs, ensuring that even when one round softened slightly, another stepped forward.
That is what separates good teams from winning ones. Talent is useful. Depth is deadly.
England had both.
England Women match their best ever finish
The women’s side delivered a fine week of their own and came away tied second at 1-under, equalling England’s best finish in the event.
Charlotte Naughton, Annabel Peaford and Ellie Lichtenhein gave England a genuine sight of the title, and for a while on the final day they were right in the thick of it. After 12 holes, England were jointly leading, thanks in no small part to Naughton producing the shot of the day by holing her second on the 11th for eagle before following it with a birdie at the par-5 12th.
At that point, the thing had a proper pulse.
But team stroke play can change direction in a hurry, and Sweden finished with the stronger kick, reaching 6-under to secure victory. England finished five back, but that should not blur the achievement. This was a young side, in serious company, delivering one of England’s best performances in the competition.
Naughton also finished third individually at 2-under, underlining just how sharp her week was from start to finish.
England Golf Women’s Captain Jenny Henderson stating: “Scores can change quickly in a team stroke play event though, and unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be for the young team this year. However, it’s a great 2nd-place finish overall, and a 3rd-place finish for Charlotte, who was just one of three females to finish under par for the tournament.”
What this European Nations Cup result really means
For the men, this was not merely another win in the European Nations Cup. It was a statement of strength, depth and standards. To win by 14 shots once is impressive. To do it again, a year later, says something deeper about the production line and the expectations inside the England setup.
For Baker, it was the kind of week players remember long after the suntan fades. Record score. Individual title. Team title. A closing stretch full of birdies and no visible fear.
For the women, there was disappointment in not quite getting over the line, but no shortage of encouragement. A tied-second finish, a spell in the outright fight on the final day, and a podium spot for Naughton is not a consolation prize. It is proof of progress.
At Sotogrande, England did not simply compete in the European Nations Cup. On the men’s side, they owned it. On the women’s side, they reminded everyone they are not far away from doing the same.
