St Annes Old Links 2026

St Annes Old Links delivered everything you'd hope for from a classic Lancashire links day — firm and fast conditions, one of the best putting surfaces in England, and a top of the leaderboard battle that came down to the back nine.

Course Highlights

St Annes Old Links is the real deal. A classic seaside links stretching to around 6,900 yards (par 72), with firm turf, natural undulations, fast-running fairways, and wind that can completely change how the course plays from one day to the next. Its pedigree speaks for itself — the course has repeatedly been used by The R&A as a Final Qualifying venue for The Open, including from 2018 to 2022. Playing a layout that's good enough to test Open-bound professionals is a real privilege, and the field clearly relished the chance.

Weather Conditions

One of those rare Lancashire links days where everything came together. Sunshine, warmth, dry turf, and a manageable breeze — pretty much as close to ideal as you'll find on this stretch of coast. Conditions that let players really enjoy the course while still asking the right questions on club selection and shot shape.

Memorable Moments

The shot of the day belonged to Carl Hughes on the par-4 15th. Hughes took the Men's Longest Drive honours in some style — by hitting his tee shot onto the green. A spectacular strike, and exactly the kind of moment that gets talked about long after the round is over. Not a bad way to claim a prize.

Tournament Highlights

Excellent scoring conditions thanks to the sunshine and firm, fast fairways that rewarded accurate driving with significant extra roll. Add in some lightning-fast greens — widely regarded as among the best links putting surfaces in England — and the leaderboard quickly filled up with strong numbers. A great day for those who could find the short stuff off the tee.

Winners

The top of the leaderboard couldn't have been any closer. Chris Long and Greg Tait edged out Oliver Alston and Jack Shaw with both pairs finishing on 43 points — separated only by a better back nine for the winners.

Huge congratulations to Chris Long and Greg Tait on taking the top spot. A brilliant round and a result that came down to the wire — the kind of finish where every point on the back nine genuinely mattered.

A massive well played to Oliver Alston and Jack Shaw too, who matched the winning score and were desperately unlucky to come out on the wrong side of countback. A fantastic effort.

On the Course

Plenty of action away from the main leaderboard too:

• Men's Longest Drive (15th) — Carl Hughes
• Ladies' Longest Drive (17th) — Jo Ellis
• Nearest the Pin (3rd) — Patrick Evans
• Nearest the Pin (9th) — Paul Dudgeon
• Nearest the Pin (13th) — Chris Windress
• Nearest the Pin (16th) — Callum Slater

Well played to everyone who claimed a spot on the day.

A brilliant day's golf on a course with genuine Open pedigree. Thanks to everyone who played, to St Annes Old Links for hosting us so well, and huge congratulations once again to Chris and Greg on a hard-earned win. Onto the next one.

Leaderboard can be found here.