Spain
Round 1 of the 2026 European Young Masters is in the books after a hot day on the coast of Valencia. Hosts, Spain have set the pace in the Nations' Cup, while England's George Cooper was the standout performer of the day.
BOYS
England's George Cooper set the early pace at Parador de El Saler, signing for an impressive bogey-free six under par round to open a two-shot advantage at the top of the Boys' leaderboard after the opening 18 holes.
Spain's Jorge de la Riva Vázquez was the closest challenger on four under par, with Germany's Bjarne Murr, the boys' bronze medallist last year, a shot further back on three under. Italy's Mattia Pagani sits alone in fourth on two under par.
A group of five players share fifth place on one under: Fraser Mackenzie of Scotland, Sebastian Aigner of Austria, Lionel Mutikainen of Finland, Tao Peremika of France and Antoni Fijalkowski of Poland. Six further players finished the day on level par in a share of tenth, keeping the leading positions tightly packed heading into round two.
GIRLS
Portugal's Francisca Ferreira da Costa and Estonia's Kristella Sikk share the Girls' lead after opening rounds of three under par.
Scotland's Stella Walters was one shot adrift in third on two under, ahead of a five-strong group tied for fourth on one under par: Ida Cederqvist of Sweden, Rut Díaz García of Spain, Ashling Poynton of Belgium, Ginevra Tassoni Teg of Italy and Elea Bastoni of France.
Austria's Samira Petek and Sweden's Lova Askerdal completed the top ten, both level par. With just three shots covering the top ten, the Girls' title race remains wide open ahead of Friday's second round.
NATIONS' CUP
Spain lead the Nations' Cup on five under par after the opening day, two clear of Italy on three under. England sit third on two under, with Scotland fourth on one under.
Germany and Sweden share fifth on level par, the last of the teams at par or better. Belgium and France are tied seventh on one over, ahead of Austria on three over and Poland, who complete the top ten on four over.
