England’s Eliot Baker has become the first player to win the Men’s European Amateur Order of Merit (EAOM), following a dramatic conclusion to the inaugural series in Sweden.
The 23-year-old earns an EGA gold medal for the achievement, along with professional playing opportunities on the DP World Tour and HotelPlanner Tour in 2027. The victory also makes it two EAOM titles for English players this year, after Charlotte Naughton claimed the women's title last week.
The EAOM has been developed by the EGA in coordination with its member federations to strengthen the European elite amateur golf calendar by increasing the visibility and value of its leading championships. Introduced earlier this year, the initiative aims to recognise and reward consistent performance across the season, provide attractive playing opportunities, and create pathways for Europe’s top amateur players into elite amateur events and professional golf.
Baker established himself near the top of the standings early in the season. After a top-20 finish at the Portuguese International Amateur Championship, he finished runner-up to compatriot Tom Osborne at the Spanish International Amateur Championship before producing one of the standout performances of his year at the European Nations Cup - Copa Sotogrande.
The Englishman won the individual title in Spain with a tournament-record score of 15-under-par, closing with five consecutive birdies.
Further strong results followed, including another runner-up finish behind Osborne at the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship (Brabazon Trophy) and a top-10 finish at the European Amateur Championship, helping Baker remain at the head of the EAOM standings entering the closing stages of the season.
His lead was put under significant pressure at the final counting event. Denmark’s Mads Heller arrived at the Swedish International Men’s Amateur Championship with a chance to overhaul Baker and remained in contention until the closing holes.
Heller ultimately finished sixth in Sweden, taking his season total of six best results to 1,372.5 points, less than 18 points short of Baker’s winning total of 1,390.3.
Max Hopkins (ENG) completed the podium on 1,149.2 points. A strong Final Sprint, highlighted by victory at the Bernhard Langer International Amateur Championship and a seventh-place finish in Sweden, helped the Englishman climb into third place in the final standings.
Heller and Hopkins also earn EGA medals for their podium finishes, alongside HotelPlanner Tour playing opportunities in 2027.
Baker’s EAOM title caps an outstanding season which also included a top-10 finish in the stroke play stage of the U.S. Amateur Championship, an impressive professional debut at the DP World Tour’s Nexo Championship, where he finished 15th as an amateur, and being part of the Great Britain & Ireland team that produced a historic comeback to win the Walker Cup at Lahinch earlier this month.
Reflecting on his season, Baker said: “Another highlight was winning the individual and team event at the Nations Cup at Sotogrande. That feeling was very special, winning a tournament while representing your country just takes it to another level.”
Looking ahead, Baker has already set his sights on the professional game, adding: “My goals for 2027 are to play on the DP World Tour, to win an event, and play in a major championship.”
Baker’s victory brings the inaugural Men’s EAOM season to a close after a year of competition across some of Europe’s leading amateur championships, with the title ultimately decided by fewer than 18 points after the final event of the season.
