Will Hopkins (Royal Lytham Golf Club)

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.