Charlie Rusbridge puts one foot in the Algarve and he comes alive. It might seem odd to claim that a 16-year-old born and bred in Essex enjoys local knowledge on Portuguese courses, but Rusbridge’s stunning first-round 69 at the Justin Rose Junior Telegraph Championship is just the latest evidence that he truly does feel at home in this part of the world.
Certainly it would be fitting if he finished 2024 exactly how he began it – by winning a youth title named in honour of an English golfing legend staged in the westernmost country in Continental Europe.
Rusbridge began the year with victory in the Faldo Series in Penina and, now less than an hour up the coast in these marvellous settings of Quinta do Lago, he has a three-shot advantage in the event sponsored by Rose – the former world No 1 who has a US Open and Olympic gold in his gilded locker – known as the unofficial major of junior golf.
“I do love playing in Portugal – who wouldn’t? – and think my experience over here could be an advantage,” Rusbridge said.
Not only was there the Faldo success, but he has previously visited Quinta do Lago with his father Scott, the PGA pro who coaches his son.
“Quinta is amazing, but this is actually the first time I’ve played the South Course here and I am very impressed,” Rusbridge said. “But for my bogey on the 18th, I would have had a blemish-free card. I played well in tricky conditions, as it was a bit windy, and I’m obviously pleased.
“It is early days and with 36 holes to go there is a long way to go, a win here would perfectly cap off what has been a bit of a manic season.”
Rusbridge, the Colne Valley prodigy who plays off a handicap of plus 5.7, has enjoyed an absurd run of form that was highlighted by victory in the English Under-18 Championship in July.
He beat Ben Bolton in a play-off at Hesketh Golf Club, near Southport, so the 17-year-old who has recently been promoted to the England Senior squad, knows how difficult it might prove to overhaul the pacesetter.
Bolton is in a tie for fifth on two-over, alongside another impressive youngster in Daniel Hayes, with Henry Styles, another Essex boy in second on level par and fellow Scots Finlay Galloway and Dominic McGlinchey on one-over.
In the girls event, Sadie Adams, the 17-year-old full England international who plays off plus 3.8 at Open links Royal Birkdale, justified the billing as one of the pre-tournament favourites with a 71.
The one-under effort handed Adams a one-shot advantage over Lila Bisset, Woodham and Isabella Taylor-Stokes in a group in second. Defending champion Annabel Peaford is six further back.
