TELEGRAPH BMW JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINALS ON THE ALGARVE

INDIA CLYBURN OVERCOMES LATE NERVES TO LAND TOP JUNIOR TITLE AT QUINTA DO LAGO

England international India Clyburn overcame a late attack of the nerves to add the 2014 Telegraph BMW Junior Championship girls’ title to her growing list of honours at Quinta do Lago in Portugal.

The 17-year-old has been in scintillating form this summer and led from the front at Quinta do Lago’s redeveloped North Course to add the prestigious title to the English Amateur Girls Championship and Royal Birkdale Scratch Trophy she won earlier in the season.

Clyburn, sister of Ladies’ European Tour player Holly, held a commanding five-stroke lead after the first day after returning a course record 69 and extended her advantage by a further stroke going into the final 18 holes.

But on a rain-interrupted last day, North Yorkshire’s Lily Downs began to close the gap as Clyburn hit trouble and her lead was reduced to just two strokes as the event reached its climax.

The gap was down to only one when Clyburn overcooked a shot and found her ball lying by a tree root on the 15^th hole, leading to her second double-bogey of the day.

But Clyburn settled her nerves by securing a fine birdie at the par-three 16^th hole before maintaining her composure over the final two holes to clinch a two-stroke victory from Downs, with Surrey’s Elizabeth Prior  five shots further back in third.

"It was so tough out there, especially with two doubles in my last round,” said Cleethorpes star Clyburn.

"I was getting angry with myself and in the end I lost count of my score and didn’t know what to do. I just tried to do something in the final three holes. 

“It’s great to add my name on the trophy and all the things that come with winning this. My coach, Graham Walker, happened to be out here for the first round so I was happy to tell him that I shot a 69 in my opening 18!"

Meanwhile, the boys’ event featured an impressive performance from Portugal’s number one teenager Vitor Lopes, who produced sub-par rounds of 70 and two 68s to win the title by four shots from Cheshire’s Rhys Nevin-Wharton with Worcestershire star Oliver Farrell back in third.    

Clyburn and Vitor Lopes, winner of the boys’ title, will now play in next year’s BMW Championship Pro-Am at Wentworth, an initiative first revealed by Paul McGinley at last year’s finals.

“I actually thought about this on the way round,” admitted Clyburn. “Now that I’ve won, it will be awesome experience to play alongside the professionals.”

Previous winners of the event, which was hosted by Quinta do Lago for the second year running and celebrated its 30^th anniversary this year, have included the likes of the US Open champion Justin Rose and stars of the men’s and ladies’ tours in Europe, Oliver Fisher, Melissa Reid and Carly Booth.

In addition to competing in one of the world’s biggest junior tournaments, the finalists enjoyed a trip to the Portugal Masters during their stay to watch some of the top Tour stars in action, while they also received an assortment of the latest top-of-the-range golf equipment from TaylorMade adidas Golf.

Clyburn was one of 12 boys and nine girls to take part in the 54-hole competition and the 21 finalists enjoyed an added treat this year as they became some of the first golfers to play Quinta do Lago’s totally revamped North Course.

The North Course has been redesigned by renowned American architect Beau Welling in close collaboration with Paul McGinley, and the European captain of the winning 2014 Ryder Cup team was on hand to officially open the new development just 24 hours before the tournament starts.

One of the most talked about development projects in Europe in 2014, Quinta do Lago’s North Course has been redeveloped at a cost of €9.6m and been built to the highest specifications, with the course in line to become the new number one course at the prestigious family resort.

The layout has been revamped with the emphasis firmly on precision and strategy. While many modern-day developments tend to focus on length, Welling and McGinley have been keen to design a golfing experience where accuracy and course management are the key factors, and a course that is playable and fun for golfers of all abilities.

Set amongst 2,000 acres of the picturesque Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is one of the most highly regarded golf and residential developments in Europe since opening in 1972.

From the outset, the resort has been at the forefront of European golf with three 18-hole championship courses matched by outstanding practice facilities including a Paul McGinley Golf Academy, a state-of-the-art TaylorMade Fitting Center and new short game area. Away from the fairways, there is plenty to keep everyone occupied, with events, tennis, cycling and watersports just some of the extensive leisure activities available.

For more details about the 2014 Telegraph BMW Golf Championship, visit www.telegraph.co.uk/juniorgolf

For further information on Quinta do Lago and its facilities, phone + 351 289 390 700+ 351 289 390 700 or visit www.quintadolago.com .

Ends

Final Leaderboard

BOYS

NAME	R1	R2	R3	TOTAL
Vitor Lopes	70	68	68	206
Rhys Nevin - Wharton	68	74	68	210
Oliver Farrell	73	71	71	215
Ashton Turner	74	74	68	216
Jamie Li	72	74	70	216
Harry Goddard	74	78	76	228
George Mullins	76	78	75	229
Hugo Kedzlie	72	80	79	231
Luke Kelly	74	77	82	233
Alex Talbot	74	83	78	235
Kesley March	79	82	75	236
Jack Singh-Brar	74	79	-	153 (w/d)

GIRLS

NAME	R1	R2	R3	TOTAL
India Clyburn	69	78	78	225
Lily Downs	75	78	74	227
Elizabeth Prior	74	83	75	232
Charlotte Ann Barrow	77	81	77	235
Lauren Horsford	82	81	74	237
Louisa Brunt	78	82	79	239
Holly Morgan	80	78	83	241
Katie Jane Stanley	78	86	78	242
Hollie Muse	82	80	81	243

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