Staff WriterLauren Crump, already a rising star in the England Golf Girls’ Squad, cemented her status as one of the country’s brightest young talents by successfully defending her crown at the English Girls’ Championship, held this week at the ever-deceptive Sherwood Forest Golf Club.
After opening with a clinical 7-under round, Crump had the early momentum in the English Girls’ Championship, but her grip on the trophy loosened temporarily as Lancaster’s Daisy Lee took charge over rounds two and three.
Heading into Sunday, Crump trailed by three shots, but the 17-year-old from Essex didn’t flinch. She conjured up a nerveless final round studded with six birdies to post 18-under-par for the tournament—good enough for a two-shot win and a second consecutive title.
“It feels amazing,” Crump beamed. “I came into the week knowing there was a lot of pressure on me to do it again and I’m just really happy to do it!”
“I’m playing some of my best golf,” she added. “I struck my irons really well and putted so good. I saw through 10 holes that I was tied with Daisy, and I knew there were a couple of par-5s and I needed to take advantage of them and I managed to hole some important putts.”
This was not a runaway victory. Far from it. Lee, with ice in her veins, reeled off four straight birdies from holes 13 to 16 in round three and posted a sparkling 67 to build her cushion.
But pressure doesn’t always burst pipes—it sometimes sharpens focus. Crump stayed calm while Lee blinked. Three bogeys in Lee’s final round—including a missed short par putt at 14—proved costly.
Meanwhile, Crump made four birdies between 12 and 16 and parred her way home to seal the deal.
“Having won it last year, coming down the last few holes, I didn’t feel as nervy as I did last time,” she said. “I was just making pars and trying to get it there.”
It was a fitting finale to a week where English girls’ golf was shown in its best light. Crump’s playing partner on Sunday, Chloe Tarbard of Royal Norwich, quietly played her way into third with a final-round 69 to finish at 12-under.
And the round of the championship? That honour goes to Sunningdale’s Mia Ingham, who lit up the leaderboard with a bogey-free 65, setting a new Sherwood Forest course record in the process and grabbing fourth at 11-under.
Elizabeth Wilson (Norwood Park) and Imogen Williamson (Delamere Forest) rounded out the top five at nine under.
Wilson, also part of the England Golf setup, made her mark early in the final round with four birdies and an eagle, while Iceland’s Pamela Osk Hjaltadottir added international flair with a dazzling bogey-free 68.
For Crump, there’s little time to bask in the glow of her win. On Monday, she heads to Pyle & Kenfig for Final Qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open—her sights set firmly on the next level.
“It would be amazing to follow in the footsteps of someone like Lottie Woad and be able to play at the AIG!” she said.
As if her week needed further sparkle, Crump also claimed the Hazards Salver, awarded to the top under-16 GB&I player.
If there was any doubt before, there isn’t now—Lauren Crump is the real deal. The English Girls’ Championship may just be the latest stepping stone on a path that’s heading straight for the top.
📊 Full leaderboard and scores from the English Girls’ Championship available here.
