Matteo Balzer crowned World Kids Golf champion in dramatic Algarve finish – Portugal Resident
A spectacular 11-metre eagle putt on the final hole handed Portuguese-Italian golfer Matteo Balzer victory at the 15th World Kids Golf by Amendoeira Golf Resort, held at the Nick Faldo-designed course in Silves.
Balzer edged Iceland’s Benjamin Valgardsson by a single stroke after a thrilling final-round duel in the prestigious junior tournament, which is sanctioned by the Portuguese Golf Federation and recognised by The R&A.
The pair started the final round tied for the lead, with Valgardsson appearing to seize control after making a hole-in-one at the 11th to open up a three-shot advantage. However, a bogey on the closing hole proved costly as Balzer birdied the 17th before producing a remarkable eagle on the par-five 18th to snatch the title.
“It was difficult,” said Balzer. “Today I felt my putting was really there, even if it wasn’t my best score. On the last hole I thought, ‘It’s now or never.’ After a good drive and a three-iron into the green, I made one of the biggest putts of my life.”
The victory marks the biggest achievement of Balzer’s young career. Having previously won the under-14 title at the event in 2023, this year’s triumph in the combined under-16/18/21 category also earns him valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking points.
Portugal enjoyed a highly successful tournament overall, producing five additional category winners.
Ricardo Castro Ferreira made history in the boys’ under-12 competition by becoming the first player to win three consecutive gross titles, following victories in the under-10 division in 2024 and 2025. The Estoril golfer finished five points clear of England’s Joe Short.
National under-14 champion Nuno Palmares continued his outstanding season by claiming the boys’ under-14 title, finishing five strokes ahead of clubmate João Rocha.
Vilamoura’s Catarina Sousa Conceição led from start to finish to win the girls’ under-14 title, while Maria Almeida Santos claimed the girls’ under-10 crown and Sabrina Crisóstomo won the girls’ under-12 competition.
Among the international winners, Leo Stewart, an English player based in Hong Kong, won the boys’ under-10 title, while Spain’s Nicolas Rebossio topped the under-21 category.
The leading female player was Dutch golfer Grace Gordon, who captured the combined girls’ under-16/18 title by nine strokes ahead of China-born Portugal resident Angelina Gao. A talented dual-sport athlete, Gordon has previously won Dutch national under-12 titles in both tennis and golf.
Although Gordon is recognised as the tournament’s leading female champion, her victory does not count towards the World Amateur Golf Ranking because the field did not meet the minimum participation requirements. Balzer, however, receives ranking points for his overall triumph.
