Turkey
France’s Rodrigo Lacerda Soares successfully defended his title at the 2025 European Senior Men’s Championship, claiming victory at Cornelia Golf Club in Belek, Turkey, after a thrilling playoff against Australia’s Richard Heath. With a composed final-round 70 to finish at two-under-par, Soares proved once again why he remains one of the top senior amateurs in Europe.
Richard Heath pushed him all the way, carding a solid 71 (-1) in the final round. Notably, Heath played his back nine with nine consecutive pars, keeping steady as others faltered. With both players tied at the end of 54 holes, the title was decided in a sudden-death playoff. It was there, on the first playoff hole, that Soares made his move—clinching victory and securing his second consecutive European Senior crown.
This year’s win carries added historical weight. Soares triumphed in the same event in 2024 at Luxembourg’s Kikuoka Country Club, also in a playoff, that time against two competitors, Ireland’s Joe Lyons and Declan O’Neill. His win in Turkey makes him a rare back-to-back champion in the history of the European Senior Men’s Championship.
Among the week’s notable stories was the performance of Edward McCormack, the 2023 champion. After leading through 36 holes, McCormack struggled on the final day, signing for a 78 (+6) that saw him slide down the leaderboard.
On the Ladies’ side, Belgium’s Sylvie Van Molle held on to capture the 2025 European Senior Ladies’ Championship title at Cornelia Golf Club in Belek, Turkey, surviving a difficult final round to claim victory by just one stroke over France’s Hélène Malvy.
Van Molle had looked in control through the opening two days, with steady rounds of 74 and 72 placing her at the top of the leaderboard. But Friday’s final round tested her resolve. Under growing pressure, she posted an 80 (+8), leaving the door open for the chasing pack. Despite the struggles, her earlier consistency proved decisive, and her three-round total was just enough to hold off Malvy.
It was a heartbreaking end for Malvy, who had played her way into contention with a composed final-round performance. A double bogey on the 18th hole, however, saw her sign for a 76 (+4), finishing one shot behind Van Molle. It marks the second consecutive runner-up finish at this championship for Malvy, who also finished second in 2024 at Kikuoka Country Club in Luxembourg.
Italy’s Camilla Tolomei Di Lippa completes the podium at +12, after three rounds in the 70s (74-78-76).
