Prince’s Golf Club’s Jordan Loft stormed to victory following a final round surge at the 2026 English PGA Championship at Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.
The three-day championship provided testing conditions for the players as the wind swirled and the sun beamed, but it was an impressive final score of 7-under that saw the South Region Professional come out on top by three shots.
Loft started his final round just one shot back of leader Joshua Bristow, but that soon changed with birdies at one, two and three. He settled for a par at the par-five fourth and two more birdies in five holes that followed meant he reached the turn with a four-shot lead.
Bristow dropped shots at seven, eight and 10, and a steady one-over back nine was enough for Loft to see the championship through with a 7-under total for the tournament and -4 for day three.
Bristow, David Coupland and Daniel Brown finished tied for second at -4.
“It feels amazing,” said Loft.
“I knew going into the final round that it was going to be a tough ask. Josh Bristow especially has been playing some really good golf, so I knew it was going to take a good round to beat him.
“I got off to a fast start and held is steady coming in.”
Joshua Bristow (left), Jordan Loft (right)
Loft attributed the win to the plan he had followed all week: “It was about playing my game plan from the first few days, which is playing aggressive off the tee and trying to take some of the difficulty out of the second shots.
“It was really firm out there, so I wanted to get wedges in my hand so I could spin it as much as possible.
“I tried not to get ahead of myself thinking about scores. I just wanted to hit the next shot as well as I could.”
Loft also earned a start at the British Masters in August, his first appearance on the DP World Tour.
“I didn’t actually realise until I finished, which is probably just as well.
“I got to the second stage of Q School last year for the DP World Tour, so it’s still my ambition to get there, so I can’t wait to go and test out my game.”
Despite the links-esque conditions, Loft almost felt his home club gave him the grounding for a week like this: "I grew up playing at Prince's, which held me in good stead for tests like this. I'm used to firm conditions, I'm used to wind and I feel like I can manage my way round. I'm lucky to be attached to Prince's and it helps my golf."
Loft was quick to credit the backing that helped make the week possible, from Bowood, who have hosted the Championship for the last seven years as a long-standing partner and PGA Golf Course, to the PGA Tournament Partners who support the whole national schedule.
“It’s huge for us. They elevate every event we play and support. They give you that feeling when you play that you’re playing a prestigious tournament and they offer great benefits for the winner.”
"I've been fortunate to be supported by Callaway for a while now. I'm really happy to win one of their national tournaments."
