Germany’s Chiara Horder produced a stunning weekend display to claim triumph in the 120th Women’s Amateur Championship at Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England.
The 20-year-old trounced American Annabelle Pancake, 7 and 6, in the scheduled 36-hole final through a combination of her own fine play and nerves from her opponent. Horder had earned the opportunity to land the first major amateur title of her career thanks to a stunning defeat of the world No. 1-ranked Swede Ingrid Lindblad, 4 and 3, in the semifinals.
Defying her own WAGR ranking of 273, Horder went toe-to-toe with Lindblad throughout the first 11 holes before shocking the championship favourite with two hole-winning eagle-3s in four holes from the 12th.
In two previous starts in the tournament, Horder had failed to progress beyond the last 32, but she broke through to become the third German winner in the last six years, emulating Aline Krauter in 2020 and Leonie Harm in 2018.
“I can’t believe it. I’m just super happy,” said Horder, who recently completed her sophomore collegiate season at Texas Tech. “I mean it’s one of the biggest amateur championships. We’ve played so many rounds the last couple days. It's been like 11 rounds (including practice). It was exhausting, but I stayed in it, and it’s so special for me.
“After the morning break, I just tried to collect my energy and just stay in there. I hit my fairways and greens and give myself opportunities.”
With the victory, Horder earns starts in this year’s Amundi Evian Championship and AIG Women’s Open plus next year’s Chevron Championship and U.S. Women’s Open. She also will receive an invitation to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“That gives me goosebumps,” she said. “It’s insane. The opportunities are incredible, and I am so fortunate. It’s definitely a goal just to compete in those majors. It’s definitely a dream.”
RESULTS
Matt Cooper