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.
Ballinrobe’s Shannon Burke just missed out on a podium spot in fourth place on twelve-over after a final round of 77. Aideen Walsh moved up three spots into a share of ninth place after a closing 74.
In the Men’s event Ben Phipps closed with an excellent round of 70 to climb eleven places into 8th position on two-over-par. Mark Shanahan also finished well with a closing 72 for a four-over total and a share of 13th.
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