Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 English Men’s Open Amateur (Brabazon Trophy)

The Brabazon Trophy is underway at Hankley Common Golf Club, where 144 top amateurs from 14 countries are chasing one of amateur golf’s most prestigious titles. Round 1 is complete, and the leaderboard is already packed with international firepower and homegrown standouts.

• 🏆 Event: English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Brabazon Trophy)
• 📍 Venue: Hankley Common Golf Club, Surrey, England
• 📅 Dates: May 22–25, 2025
• 🕹️ Format: 72-hole stroke play (cut after 36 holes to Top 60 + ties)
• 👥 Field: 144 players (exempt + qualifiers)
• 🏌️ Defending Champion: Gregor Graham (Scotland)
• 📊 Live Scoring: Follow leaderboard on AmateurGolf.com

Updated May 22, 2025 – 7:42 PM MST

The Brabazon Trophy—officially the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship—is an elite event with deep roots in golf history. It serves as both a proving ground for top amateurs and a high-stakes showcase for Walker Cup selection, WAGR movement, and national team recognition. In 2025, the event returns to Hankley Common, a firm and fast Surrey masterpiece, perfect for separating the polished from the raw.

About the Championship

First played in 1947 and renamed in 1948 after Lord Brabazon of Tara, the Brabazon Trophy has crowned numerous legends of amateur and professional golf. Sir Michael Bonallack won the title four times; Sandy Lyle, Gordon Brand Jnr, and Charl Schwartzel are all among its decorated alumni.

The 72-hole stroke play format includes two opening rounds for all 144 players, followed by a cut to the top 60 and ties for the weekend. It is England Golf’s premier open amateur title, often run alongside the Philip Scrutton Jug for best combined performance at the Brabazon and Berkshire Trophy.

The Venue: Hankley Common Golf Club

Hankley Common is a heathland gem that demands precision, strategy, and composure. Players face tight lines off the tee, penal natural bunkers, and fast, contoured greens. The course’s par-70 layout stretches to 6,929 yards and is known for playing firm and fast, especially when dry like this week.

The front nine rewards hot starts—three co-leaders today all surged through their opening holes—while the back nine tests nerves with exposed approaches and tucked pins. It’s a fitting battleground for one of amateur golf’s true majors.

Scoring Trends & Winning Profile

• Past Champions: Gregor Graham (2024), Liam Nolan (2023), Christiaan Maas (2022)
• Winning Scores: Typically range from -10 to -14
• Cut Line Trend: Historically hovers between +1 and +3

Early rounds show how critical it is to avoid big mistakes. Winners here tend to be those who manage Hankley’s nuances rather than overpower it, especially with wind in play on Friday.

Round 1 Recap – Thursday, May 22

Three players share the top of the leaderboard after Round 1 at 5-under-par 66:

• Ville Virkkala (Finland): Torched the front nine with a 30, including an eagle on 7 and birdies at 3, 6, and 9. Managed a calm back nine despite a closing bogey.
• Eliot Baker (England): Mixed six birdies with an eagle on the 8th in a mature performance. Baker was T4 last year and looks poised to contend again.
• Tom Hughes (England): The Formby player was clean through 17 before a bogey at the last. Still, his 66 reflected sharp approach play and course control.

Just one shot back at 4-under 67 are:

• Matt Roberts (Wales) – From Royal Porthcawl, showing consistency and poise.
• Richard Teder (Estonia) – Emerging international threat with smooth ball-striking.
• Alexander Farmer (Scotland) – Finished strong with three birdies over his final six holes.

Four players are T7 at 3-under 68: Tom Osborne (ENG), Mattias Varjun (EST), Jamie Van Wyk (ENG), and Jake Sowden (ENG).

Gregor Graham, the defending champion, opened with an even-par 70. He will need a steady second round to avoid missing the cut and surrendering his title defense.

Players to Watch

• Eliot Baker (ENG): T1 after Round 1, rising force in English amateur golf
• Ville Virkkala (FIN): Explosive front-nine proves he's a serious contender
• Tom Hughes (ENG): Showed tremendous control; one of the cleanest cards of the day
• Dominic Clemons (ENG): Highest-ranked GB&I player (WAGR #44); opened with 70

Field Snapshot by Country

This year’s field features amateurs from 14 countries:

• 🇬🇧 England – 77 players
• 🇮🇪 Ireland – 11
• 🏴 Scotland & Wales – 11 each
• 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇷 France – among others

The international flavor has already translated to the top of the board—Finland, Estonia, and Scotland are all represented inside the top 10.

Looking Ahead: 2026 at Hollinwell

The Brabazon Trophy returns to Notts Golf Club (Hollinwell) in 2026, where weather chaos shortened the final round in 2024. It’s one of the most beloved inland layouts in the UK, and players will be eager for redemption in a full-length format next year.

Love Following Elite Amateur Golf?

Join AmateurGolf.com for full access to our tournament database, player rankings, news, and tools to elevate your game.

• 🗂️ 3500+ tournaments tracked annually
• 📊 World Amateur Golf Ranking integration
• 🏌️ Tools for players, parents, and scouts

Become a Member Today