Northumberland golfer Charlotte Naughton set to compete at AIG Women's Open

Northumberland golfer Charlotte Naughton has admitted that qualifying for the AIG Women’s Open is "the best achievement” of her career so far.

The 18-year-old, who plays out of Longhirst Hall Golf Club in Morpeth, has secured her spot in the 50th anniversary edition of the historic tournament - her first-ever major - after winning the European Ladies Amateur Championship in Sweden on Sunday. She will now head to Royal Lytham and St Annes to pit her wits against some of the biggest names in the women’s game over the coming days.

And speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Naughton expressed her delight at the latest high-point in her blossoming career. She said: "I've always dreamed about it. I never really knew it would come this quick but I'm so happy and so proud to be able to play.

"It's a great opportunity to play against some of the best golfers in the world and see where my game stands against them. It feels really cool to be able to play with people I look up to and aspire to be when I'm older."

Elsewhere, Naughton has also been named in England’s team for the upcoming Home Internationals tournament. Set to take place at Woodbrook Golf Club in County Wicklow, Ireland, between August 5th and 7th, the competition pits this year’s hosts against England, Scotland, and Wales. Since the Women’s and Men’s Home Internationals were combined in 2022, England have won three of the four events, and Naughton and her teammates will be hoping to continue that winning tradition next month.

The call-up represents yet another milestone in a hugely successful year for Naughton, who also lifted the Lawson Trophy - awarded to the best-placed under-18 participant in the annual St. Rule Trophy - at St. Andrews, as well as winning the individual title at the Junior Orange Bowl in Coral Gables, Florida, with a four-round tournament record of -10.

Last year, Naughton picked up the individual title at the 2025 World Junior Girls Golf Championship in Canada, helping England to a fourth-placed finish overall, and was part of Team Europe’s squad at the Junior Ryder Cup.