Portugal
France claimed both titles at the 2026 European Mid-Amateur Championships, with Pierre Tillement and Pauline Stein emerging as champions at Quinta do Peru Golf & Country Club in Portugal on Saturday.
Pierre Tillement claimed the men’s title in dramatic fashion, defeating Finland’s Keijo Jaakola at the second hole of a sudden-death playoff after both players finished the 54 holes tied at four-under-par. Tillement had carded a final-round 70, while Jaakola came from behind with a fine five-under 67 to force the decider.
The two players parred the first playoff hole, the par-five 1st, before Tillement settled the contest on the par-three 8th, holing out for par while Jaakola failed to match.
Austria’s Markus Habeler, who won the 2024 edition, finished third at level-par, while a group of four players including France’s Christophe de Grancey, Sweden’s Rickard Jönsson, Germany’s Daniel Schmieding and Sweden’s Hampus Wijkstrom shared fourth at one-over.
On the Women’s side Pauline Stein ended her wait for a European Mid-Amateur title with a commanding victory in the women’s event, finishing at level-par six shots clear of Germany’s Alena Oppenheimer in second place. Stein, who had finished runner-up in 2024, closed with a three-under 69 to seal the win in style.
Defending champion Jessica Ross of Ireland, currently ranked third in the European Amateur Order of Merit, finished third at eight-over par.
Looking Ahead
As European Mid-Amateur champions, both Tillement and Stein earn exemptions into the European Amateur/ Ladies’ Amateur Championships and US Mid-Amateur Championships respectively. With the European Mid-Amateur Team Championships on the horizon in September, the week’s performances will also weigh heavily on national team selectors across the continent.
