There was no drama at the death — only a coronation. Lev Grinberg of France led the St. Andrews Links Trophy from the first round to the last, closing out a seven-shot victory at 18-under 269 to claim one of men’s amateur golf’s most coveted titles at the home of golf.

The world No. 83 built his margin early and never let it slip, stringing together rounds of 66-66-67-70 across the New and Old courses. By the time he walked up the 18th on Sunday, the only question left was the size of the winning gap — and it ended up being a commanding seven strokes over Dutch challenger Melvin Muller.

Wire to Wire

Grinberg opened with a six-under 66 on the New Course to grab a share of the early lead, then backed it up with a second 66 on the tougher Old Course — a round that came on a day the field averaged more than a shot over par. That 36-hole burst gave him a two-shot cushion entering the weekend, and he extended it with a third-round 67.

A closing 70 in the Sunday wind and rain was more than enough. With the chasers unable to mount a charge on a punishing Old Course setup, Grinberg cruised home for one of the more decisive winning margins the event has seen in recent years.

The Chase Falls Short

Muller secured solo second at 11-under after a steady week anchored by a second-round 65, but he could never close the gap on the runaway leader. Behind him, France’s Rodolphe Cicala and South Africa’s Stefan Jacobs tied for third at nine under, both finishing strongly — Cicala with a closing 66 that was among the rounds of the day.

Leading the Great Britain & Ireland challenge, Scotland’s Connor Graham finished in a share of sixth at seven under, as the home contingent again came up short in its bid to end a title drought stretching back to Grant Forrest in 2014.

Two 66s to open the week, a seven-shot margin to close it — a performance of total control at the home of golf.

Final Leaderboard

Final 72-hole result. Rounds played across the New Course (R1) and Old Course (R2–R4). Par 72.

A Rare Continental Champion

Grinberg becomes only the fifth player from outside Great Britain & Ireland to win the Links Trophy, joining Australia’s Stuart Bovier (1990), the Netherlands’ Daan Huizing (2012), Italy’s Federico Zucchetti (2015) and Australia’s Connor McKinney (2022) on that short list. His 18-under total stands among the lowest winning scores in the event’s history.

The win also strengthens Grinberg’s standing in The R&A’s Open Amateur Series, which awards an exemption into The Open Championship to the player who accumulates the most WAGR points across the Links Trophy, the Amateur Championship and the European Amateur.

Final results via St. Andrews Links Trust / Golf Genius. — AmateurGolf.com