The Netherlands’ Guus Lafeber etched his name into history after defeating Spain’s Yago Horno on the first play-off hole to win The R&A Boys’ Amateur Championship at County Louth, Ireland.
The 18-year-old secured the first-ever title for the Dutch Golf Federation in the 98-year history of the prestigious event, just a year after compatriot Scott Woltering narrowly lost in the final.
“This is amazing for Dutch golf,” said a jubilant Lafeber. “It’s a huge step for our country, especially after last year. This is by far the biggest championship I’ve ever won. The field is so strong, with great players from all over the world. I wanted to win it for my friend Scott too — he came so close, and this means a lot for both of us.”
After five days of calm conditions, the final day brought a fresh test as winds gusted over 20 mph across the famed County Louth links. The challenge recalled memories of Shane Lowry’s 2009 Irish Open victory as an amateur in far harsher weather.
The conditions ultimately played to Lafeber’s strengths. His low ball flight helped him keep control, while Horno’s higher trajectory often left him battling the wind.
Lafeber, the reigning Dutch Stroke Play champion, never trailed in the match and at one stage held a commanding four-hole lead. But Horno, chasing a ninth Spanish title, showed remarkable resilience. His scrambling skills repeatedly kept him alive — none more spectacular than on the par-4 4th hole, when, playing from near out of bounds, he holed a 20-foot putt after a superb wedge shot over the dunes.
By the 31st hole, Horno had clawed back to all square. The duel remained tense, with the Dutchman needing a clutch 15-footer for par on the 34th to avoid going one down for the first time. He followed it up with a brilliant 25-foot birdie on the 35th, seemingly sealing victory. But a missed six-footer on the 36th sent the match to extra holes.
The contest was finally decided on the 37th hole. Horno failed to get up and down from behind the green, while Lafeber calmly two-putted from 25 feet to claim the title — and Dutch golfing history.
“Yago played incredible golf,” said Lafeber. “I had to play my best to beat him. It was mentally harder than physically. Those clutch putts on the 34th and 35th were the difference. I thought I’d won it on the last green, but I’m happy it ended this way.”
The victory is even sweeter for Lafeber given his family ties. He is the son of Maarten Lafeber, a former DP World Tour winner who claimed the Dutch Open in 2003.
“Dad is really proud,” Guus said. “I can’t wait to put my gold medal next to his Dutch Open trophy.”
Among the 350 spectators was Irish golf great Des Smyth, an eight-time DP World Tour champion and Ryder Cup veteran. “I used to hit shots like these lads… in my dreams,” he joked, applauding the high level of play.
Along with the gold medal, Lafeber earned a coveted exemption into next year’s Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool and West Lancashire. He also secured a place in Final Qualifying for The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale.
“Wow,” Lafeber said. “To play in the Amateur Championship and have a chance to qualify for the biggest tournament in golf is going to be amazing.”
About the DP World Tour
The DP World Tour is the main men’s professional golf tour of the European Tour group.
As golf’s global tour, we showcase global talent in global destinations and use our platform to build, entertain and connect our global community.
GLOBAL TALENT: We provide pathways and a platform for the leading international talent, bringing together golfing icons, national heroes and emerging stars from around the world.
GLOBAL DESTINATIONS: We stage tournaments in iconic cities and locations around the world and each week we celebrate and showcase the rich diversity of the courses, cities and cultures we visit.
GLOBAL COMMUNITY: We build, entertain and connect communities through our commitment to innovation, creative content and having a positive social and environmental impact.
Our 2025 Global Schedule features 42 tournaments in 26 different countries and comprises three distinct phases: five ‘Global Swings’, the ‘Back 9’ and the ‘DP World Tour Play-Offs’. It features five Rolex Series events – the premium category of events on the DP World Tour – and four Major Championships, all of which count towards the Race to Dubai Rankings, the Tour’s season-long competition which concludes at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
DP World, the leading provider of global smart end-to-end supply chain and logistics solutions, has been the title partner of the DP World Tour since the start of the 2022 season, the Tour’s 50th season following its formation in 1972.
We also enjoy the support of many of the world’s leading business brands with DP World, Rolex, Aldar, BMW, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Emirates, Fortinet and Vestas as Official Partners.
About the European Tour group
The European Tour group administers the DP World Tour, the HotelPlanner Tour, the Legends Tour and the G4D Tour and, as the Managing Partner of Ryder Cup Europe LLP, stages golf’s greatest team contest, the Ryder Cup, in partnership with the PGA of America.
The European Tour group has Strategic Partnerships with the PGA TOUR, the Sunshine Tour, the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, the China Golf Association (CGA), the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO), the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association (KPGA), and the TATA Steel Professional Golf Tour of India. These partnerships provide global pathways for players from across the world to compete internationally on the DP World Tour, the main men’s professional golf Tour of the European Tour group which was established in 1972, as well as the HotelPlanner Tour.
