Charlotte Naughton had a fortnight to remember in Canada and the USA as she was crowned girls’ world champion and represented Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup
Charlotte Naughton shone on the international stage once again as she won the individual title at the World Junior Girls Championship – before going on to represent Team Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup.
Longhirst Hall-based Charlotte shot 10 under-par for four rounds to finish one shot ahead of home favourite Clara Ding at St Catharines Golf & Country Club in Canada and win the biggest event of her career to-date.
Opening with a two under-par round of 70, 17-year-old Charlotte 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.
“It feels incredible to be world junior girls’ champion,” said Charlotte. “It’s definitely the biggest win of my career so far.
“I’ve wanted to win this event for a couple of years and having played in it last season, I knew what it was all about and the level of the players I’d have to beat to do it.
“I knew my game was good and I was confident going into the week. My putting was so good all four days, and the 66 was brilliant.
“It was windy on the last day and while it was tough, I didn’t know the scores or where I was on the leaderboard until I got to the 18th green. I knew my 12ft putt on the last was to win and while it was nerve-racking, I was confident.
“I was pretty nervous, I felt like I was going to be sick, but I rolled it in and the celebrations afterwards were amazing.”
With the win, Charlotte earned exemptions into the LPGA’s CPKC Women’s Open and the Canadian Women’s Amateur.
England finished fourth in the team standings at the event – which is open to female juniors who have not reached their 19th birthday by the last scheduled day of the championship, and who are not playing university or college golf. The inaugural event was held in 2014 and medallists to-date include LPGA stars Brooke Henderson, Angel Yin, Megan Khang, Yuka Saso, Linn Grant, and Atthaya Thitikul.
Following the event in Canada, Charlotte flew to New York to represent Team Europe in the 13th Junior Ryder Cup.
Competing against the USA over three days at Nassau Country Club, Charlotte lost her opening foursomes match alongside Alice Kong before teaming up with Kris Kim in the mixed foursomes and winning 2&1. The English pair then narrowly lost 2&1 in the mixed fourballs on day two. On the final day, Charlotte led out the European team in the singles against the women’s amateur world number 11 – Asterisk Talley – and fell just short of a remarkable comeback. Having been four-down with four holes to play, Charlotte won the 15th, 16th and 17th holes and narrowly missed her birdie putt on 18 for what would have been a remarkable half. Ultimately, the US team won the match 17.5-12.5 to reclaim the trophy.
“The adrenaline was keeping me going, but I loved every minute of the Junior Ryder Cup,” said Charlotte, who was supported by her family and coach, Paul Fiddes, at the event. “Playing against some of the best golfers in the world was so much fun and while we didn’t win, I loved being part of Team Europe. Leading the team out in the singles was awesome and while playing the best junior girl in the world was tough, I fought back really well at the end and almost got the half on the last.”
This year’s 2025 German Girls’ International Amateur winner, Charlotte finished runner-up at the Girls’ Amateur Championship this summer. She also won the Lawson Trophy for the leading U18 player at the St Rule Trophy for a second time – and has represented England in the Girls’ & Boys’ Home Internationals, the biennial match against Spain, and the Toyota Junior World Cup in Japan.
“I’ve had an amazing year and this fortnight finishes it off perfectly,” added Charlotte, who spent three days inside the ropes at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage before flying home. “I’m most proud of how consistent I’ve been. I’ve had good results all year, and having the wins in there makes it extra special.
“I’m looking forward to having a bit of a rest when I get home. So much has happened this year, there’s a lot to look back on and build on next season.”
