George Saunders made the most of home comforts this weekend, putting together four strong rounds to win the Hampshire Salver by four shots at Blackmoor Golf Club. The 25-year-old from Liphook, East Hampshire, finished at 8-under par with rounds of 63-70-66-69.
The Hampshire Salver is no easy feat. It combines two of the county’s top amateur events—the Selborne Salver and the Hampshire Hog—into one grueling 72-hole test across two days. To come out on top, you’ve got to be sharp from start to finish. Saunders did just that.
Fresh off a runner-up finish at last week’s Berkhamsted Trophy, he opened the weekend with a blistering 63 in the Selborne Salver and followed it with a 70 to finish second in that event at 5-under. Ben Willis took the Selborne title with a brilliant 9-under total, thanks to a sparkling 61 in round two.
But the tables turned on Saturday. While Willis slipped with rounds of 75 and 71 in the Hampshire Hog to fall to fifth overall, Saunders stayed rock solid. He shot 66 in round three and carried a five-shot lead into the final round, where a composed 69 sealed the win.
Stratford-on-Avon’s Jack Drury made a late run with a 65 and 64 on Sunday to finish second at 4-under, but Saunders was never really threatened.
It’s a satisfying win for Saunders, who finished fourth in this event last year. He played in eight ranked events in 2024, notching three top-10s, including a share of second at Berkhamsted Trophy.
As for the defending champion, Jackson Garnett had a tough weekend, ending in a tie for 38th at 16-over.