Sixteen-year-old Louis Rickett has firmly established himself as a rising talent to watch, securing back-to-back victories on the Faldo Series circuit after winning the main event at Macdonald Portal in Cheshire this week.
Following closely on the heels of his dramatic under-16 category playoff win at Brocket Hall just days prior, the Shropshire teenager topped a highly competitive field of 57 players to claim the overall title. Crucially, this main event victory has officially earned the young golfer his World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), a major milestone in his burgeoning amateur career.
The tournament, played over Macdonald Portal’s challenging Championship course, rigorously tested the field with highly variable spring conditions. Heading into the final day, Rickett faced an uphill battle. He found himself sitting in fourth place on the leaderboard after navigating brutal 30mph winds and enduring a frustrating day on the greens during the penultimate round.
However, the final day saw a measured, mature, and highly effective response from the 16-year-old. Unfazed by the deficit, Rickett delivered a composed, bogey-free round of 1-under par to successfully climb the leaderboard. Key to his final-round comeback was his outstanding putting under pressure; he made five clutch par putts to maintain his momentum, keep his scorecard clean, and ultimately secure the overall title.
“Getting a World Amateur Golf Ranking has been a major goal for me, so I’m incredibly proud to have achieved it this week,” said Rickett. “To do it by winning back-to-back events is a really great feeling. Yesterday was a real battle in the wind, but I stayed patient today, made some crucial putts, and managed to get the job done.”
This fortnight of domestic success is the direct result of a rigorous off-season. Rickett spent his winter months based at the Alhaurín Golf Resort in Spain, testing his game against elite international fields. His European campaign included a runner-up finish at the Portuguese Collegiate, a 3rd place finish at the Finnish Open, and two impressive top-10 finishes competing against professionals on the Toro Tour. That elite exposure has clearly sharpened his competitive edge for his return to UK soil.
Earning WAGR status caps off a highly successful two weeks that includes two Faldo Series trophies and a guaranteed spot at the Grand Final in Dubai this November.
Rickett will now look to carry this exceptional run of form into next week’s highly prestigious Welsh Men’s Amateur Championship.