Charlotte Naughton looks back at her incredible international success in 2025, and sets her sights on building on it this season following her win at the Junior Orange Bowl in the US in January
Charlotte Naughton is no stranger to the international stage or the spotlight at this point in her golfing career.
Just 17, she has been part of the England Golf system since the age of 12 and won her first national title – the English Girls’ Under 14 Open Championship – in 2022.
Her experience shone through in 2025 as she won two major international events – the German Girls’ International Amateur Championship in May, and the World Junior Girls Championship in Canada in September.
“Winning two international events was amazing last season,” says Charlotte as she tries to sum up an incredibly busy year, in which she also completed the first half of her A Levels. “I was really proud of my consistency throughout the year – I was in contention a lot.
“Becoming a world champion was my biggest achievement so far. No one will ever be able to take that away from me. I loved the week in Canada with my teammates, and I played so well to win.”
Longhirst Hall-based Charlotte shot 10 under-par for four rounds in Canada to finish one shot ahead of home favourite Clara Ding at St Catharines Golf & Country Club and win the biggest event of her career to-date.
Opening with a two under-par round of 70, she shot 66 on day two – the second lowest score of the week – to lead at the halfway stage. She then posted a 68 on day three. Holding a two-shot lead heading into the final day, Charlotte stayed poised despite a double-bogey on the 17th and holed out from 12ft for par on the 18th to shoot 74 and win by one.
That win followed her victory in Germany – where she shot rounds of 70, 72 and 73 for a five under-par total to win by two shots at Golf Club Bad Saarow.
“Winning internationally is such a cool experience,” adds Charlotte. “It’s another level when you travel away from home, experience different cultures and courses, and then have to compete. I’ve learned how to prepare and have built a process to do it. From there, I just try and play good golf no matter where I am in the world.
“The win in Germany was a step up for me, and it gave me so much confidence. Winning when it’s close is such a good feeling.
“I don’t look at leaderboards; I just focus on playing the best golf I can that day and see where that takes me.
“I’ve learned how to win and how to lose by being in so many tournaments. As I’ve gotten older, that experience has helped me deal with being in contention.
“Focusing on scoring helps me so much too. I’ve learned you have to stay in the moment as you never know what’s around the corner on the course.”
The two wins standout in a sensational season for Charlotte – in which she also reached the final of the R&A Girls’ Amateur Championship at Conwy; and finished second in the St Rule Trophy at St Andrews while retaining the Lawson Trophy for the leading player under the age of 18 at the event. She also had top 10 finishes in the French U21s, Scottish Girls’ Open, and Spanish international Women’s Amateur – and a 12th place finish in the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan.
Charlotte also represented Team Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup in September before attending the men’s event at Bethpage. There was a debut for the England women’s team against Spain too; and a win in the Home Internationals with the England girls’ team – where Charlotte won six out of six matches.
“Last year was so busy and packed with golf, it’s hard to pick a favourite event,” adds Charlotte. “If I had to, I’d say the Junior Ryder Cup. Getting the opportunity to play against some of the best players in America, and be part of such a big event with so many people, was amazing.
“Playing in the Junior Ryder Cup was at the top of my list of goals in 2025, and I was so happy when that was confirmed. Heading to New York straight from Canada was tough – I was so tired – but the adrenaline kept me going.
“Playing against, and alongside, the best junior golfers in the world was really cool. I teamed up with Kris [Kim] and we worked well together. While Europe didn’t win, being part of that tournament was incredible. I then got to head over for three days at the men’s Ryder Cup – the first time I’d really relaxed after a crazy summer – which was another brilliant experience.
“I had an amazing surprise party thrown for me at Longhirst when I got home too – which was so special and something I’ll never forget.
“I love team golf – it’s such a big part of the amateur schedule and representing my country – and teams beyond that – is one of my biggest goals each season. The different environment and team spirit really spurs me on.
“Making my debut for the England women’s team was a big step up in April, and I’m so proud to have been included in that squad for the first time this year. It’s the natural progression from the girls’ team, but you never know if or when you’ll be ready and I’m hoping to have the opportunity to tee it up for England with the girls’ and the women’s teams again this season.
“Winning tournaments like the Home Internationals with your team is so cool. I loved being part of the Northumberland team that won County Match Week for the first time in so long too. Being part of captain Julie’s team with my sister [Zara] and my friends was so special – and celebrating with the team is another moment I’ll never forget.”
With all her success in 2025, Charlotte’s season culminated in her topping the England Golf Girls’ Order of Merit. She has also risen to 111th in the Women’s World Amateur Golf Rankings at the time of writing – and is second in the Women’s European Golf Rankings, and top of the U18 Girls’ European Golf Rankings. While international rankings are more heavily weighted in terms of tournament entries at this level, it’s worth noting Charlotte’s handicap currently sits at +7.1.
Following the end of the 2025 season and Christmas at home, Charlotte was back on an international flight in the first week of January as she headed to the US for the Junior Orange Bowl at Biltmore Golf Course in Florida.
In her first competitive event of the year, she picked up where she left off last season – shooting a 10 under-par total over four days to win by seven shots. Her final round of 69 in Florida was enough to see her become the first girl to finish at 10 under-par across four rounds at the event. Charlotte’s total of 274 was one shot better than fellow English winner Lily May Humphreys – who won the event in 2017 – and she joined a roster of Junior Orange Bowl winners that includes Tiger Woods (1991) and Inbee Park (2002) along with major winners Lexi Thompson (2009) and Brooke Henderson (2013).
“The Orange Bowl was on my list for a while, and I was so happy when I got the invite to play in it,” says Charlotte. “Playing in Florida after being at home for a while, and going to a course with so much grain, I wasn’t sure how I’d react, but I got straight back into the rhythm of playing well.
“The way I won was a bit different to the two wins in 2025, but even with a lead I knew I had to stay in the moment and focus on the score that day. I did that really well and to win by seven was a nice surprise. Winning an event with such an amazing list of winners, and Tiger Woods out on the golf course watching, is incredible – though I was so nervous when Tiger watched me tee off.
“Winning in America is the perfect way to start my season.”
In 2026, Charlotte has another packed international schedule. She’s already looking forward to a warm weather training camp with England, the Spanish International Ladies’ Amateur Championship, and the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in the US in February and March.
“I developed lots of new skills last season – working with my coach, Paul [Fiddes], and the England coaches – and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop as a golfer this year,” she adds.
“Being invited to events like the Junior Invitational is such an honour and I can’t wait to go back to America. I’m excited to go back and defend at the events I’ve won too. I also can’t wait to go back to St Andrews for the St Rule as I love being in Scotland for that week – and I’m looking forward to being at Muirfield for the Women’s Amateur. I’ve also got an invite to play on the LPGA Tour in Canada in August, which I can’t wait for.
“I have such an amazing schedule planned in 2026 and I’m proud to be part of all these incredible tournaments and have the opportunity to play golf all over the world.
“There’s a Curtis Cup coming up this year too. It’s the pinnacle of women’s amateur golf, and being part of it is one of my biggest goals in my amateur career. I know it’s really hard to get into the GB&I team, but I’d love to be part of it someday. I just need to focus on my golf and play well, then we’ll see what happens.”
Following the European summer and the end of her A Levels, Charlotte will head to the US for a four-year golf scholarship at the University of Alabama.
“I’ve had a long build-up to college golf after going to see coaches and facilities, then committing to Alabama, and I’m so excited to get out there and join the team in August. The coaches have been amazing so far, the facilities are incredible, and I can’t wait to be a college athlete. The weather will also be a lot nicer than it is at home in the winter.”
While she is still just 17, Charlotte has taken all that has come her way in her stride over the last few years – and she looks set to do the same in 2026.
“My family, especially my sister, keep me grounded and it’s really important to have as normal a life as possible away from golf and travelling,” adds Charlotte. “Being good at anything takes a lot of sacrifices and I have to make choices to fit all the golf in, but I love being at home and having time off is really important.
“I have a lot of amateur golf ahead of me and there are so many things I’d love to do – as an individual and as part of teams – so I need to keep working hard and getting better, then I’ll see where golf takes me next.”
