Will Hopkins wins the Lytham Trophy in dramatic fashion

May 5, 2024 | by Justin Golba of AmateurGolf.com

Will Hopkins (Royal Lytham Golf Club)

Hopkins shot a 4-under 66 in the final round and won the prestigious trophy in a three-hole playoff

Will Hopkins of England survived a three-hole aggregate playoff to win the 2024 Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham & St Annes in Lytham St. Annes, England. After four rounds of play and 72 holes, Hopkins, Tomi Bowen, and James Ashfield were tied at the top of the leaderboard at 1-under and needed three extra holes to decide a winner.

In the three-hole playoff, Hopkins finished 1-under, Bowen finished even par, and Ashfield finished 1-over, giving Hopkins the win.

Hopkins shot rounds of 70-70-73-66 to get to 1-under and force the playoff. Ashfield shot rounds of 67-71-72-69, and Bowen shot rounds of 72-69-68-70.

The 2023 Walker Cupper Ashfield was looking to continue his winning ways after winning the European Nations Cup.

Matt Roberts finished even par and in solo fourth place. 36-hole leader Jamie Van Wyk shot a final-round 4-over 75 to fall to T5. Daniel Bennett and Lev Grinberg also finished T5 at 1-over to round out the top five.

It has been a solid start to the year for Hopkins, as he finished T3 in the European Nations Cup and T4 at the Avondale Amateur. He is currently ranked No. 91 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.

All players played 18 holes on Friday and Saturday, and then the field was cut to the top 40 and ties, and the remaining players played 36 holes on Sunday.

HISTORY

In the early 1960s, some of the senior Members of the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club felt that there was a gap in the amateur golfing calendar and the need for a major 72-hole scratch competition. The English Golf Union helped launch the event and select entrants. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and County Unions and various eminent players were approached for their support. All gave it willingly, and so was born the Lytham Trophy.

It is held each year over the Bank Holiday Weekend at the beginning of May. It is now played solely at Royal Lytham, with one round on Friday and Saturday and the final two rounds for those who have made the cut on Sunday.

Every winner takes away a replica of the handsome "Sputnick" trophy donated by Members' subscriptions. All have been the highest quality international golfers, and many have gone on to be successful Professionals.

The entry is now of the highest caliber from all parts of the UK and Europe and, in recent years, from all over Europe.

Results: Lytham Trophy

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Will Hopkins	, England	1200	70-70-73-66=279
T2	Tomi Bowen	, Wales	900	72-69-68-70=279
T2	James Ashfield	, Wales	900	67-71-72-69=279
4	Matt Roberts	, Wales	700	70-71-69-70=280
T5	Lev Grinberg	, Ukraine	700	73-71-70-67=281

View full results for Lytham Trophy

About the Lytham Trophy

Will Hopkins wins the Lytham Trophy in dramatic fashion

In the early 1960s some of the senior Members of the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club felt that there was a gap in the amateur golfing calendar and the need for a major 72 hole scratch competition. Help was given by the English Golf Union to launch...