‘My junior major win helped me grow'

Telegraph

16-07-2025

Ten years on from her staggering 16-shot victory in the Justin Rose Telegraph Junior Golf Championship, Northern Ireland's Olivia Mehaffey says that the event in Portugal remains one of the most fun weeks of her career.
Not only did she make history by becoming the first Irish girls' winner of the junior major, but she says she matured and made lifelong friends at Quinta do Lago, which will later this year host girls' finals on its 35th anniversary.
Mehaffey had qualified on her home course at Royal County Down, having been told by her father that her round was going to act as a qualifier.
'You have to post a good score [if you want] to travel out there,' she says. 'Knowing that, I had nothing to lose, and for me it was a one-day shoot-out. I remember being really excited as no Irish player had reached the finals before.'
Mehaffey travelled out to the Algarve having won the Scottish, Irish (for the third year running) and Welsh Open Amateur strokeplay titles. Then came her stunning win in Portugal, which was by one of the biggest winning margins in Junior Championship history.
'I won by 16 shots, but I remember playing the last hole still thinking to myself 'Why are you so nervous!'' she laughs. 'The tournament really develops you as a golfer. We had media training, got to go out to Portugal, play in the am-am and play in front of TV cameras.
'It helped me mature as a player, and I know there were players there younger than me, so to start that development earlier is brilliant.'
Mehaffey went on to reach the top five in the amateur world rankings and has played in two Curtis Cups, two US Opens, three Opens and was in the top 10 at the Augusta National Women's Amateur.
She attended Arizona State University before turning professional in 2021. 'Education was important, and getting a college degree is something I am very proud of,' she says.
'I didn't need to rush and I had a lot of growing up to do. Having to mature away from my mum and dad helped me get to the next stage of life.
'Golf is extremely humbling. It is so up and down, and you never know what's around the corner. It's about being consistent, doing the things that work for you and not veering off that path.'
After Mehaffey lost her father to cancer in late 2021, she took some time away from golf. In March this year she achieved her best showing in over 20 months by finishing fourth on South Africa's Sunshine Tour. She says:
'I had anxiety on the course but worked hard with my sports psychologist. It's nice to go out now and be able to see shots and be comfortable standing up on holes.'
A decade on from her memorable win, Mehaffey is best placed to offer advice to those juniors wanting to follow in her footsteps.
'Everyone's journey is different,' she adds. 'There are people who turn pro after a successful amateur career and do well very quickly, and others who take a little bit longer. You have to find your own journey and story, and know you can't compare it to other people.'