Harley Smith just put the rest of the amateur golf world on notice.
The 20-year-old from Rayleigh, England, stormed his way to a commanding six-shot victory at the 2026 Portuguese Amateur Championship on Saturday, closing out the week at 9-under par with rounds of 71-66-70-72 at the Faldo Course at Amendoeira Golf Resort.
This wasn’t just a win-it was a statement. Smith’s performance was steady, composed, and at times dominant, especially during his second-round 66 that set the tone for the rest of the tournament. On a course known for its demanding layout and punishing bunkers, Smith navigated the challenge with the poise of a seasoned pro.
And that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Smith’s been on the radar for a while now. Born in Essex and developed through the England Golf system, he’s built an impressive resume that includes wins at both the McGregor and Carris Trophies back in 2021.
He added the English Men’s Amateur Championship title in 2024 and even snagged a professional win on the Clutch Pro Tour at just 16 years old. For those keeping track, that’s not just a promising trajectory-it’s elite company.
With this latest win, Smith keeps the Portuguese Amateur trophy in English hands for another year, following Eliot Baker’s victory in 2025. Baker, a fellow member of the England Men’s Squad from Tiverton, Devon, finished tied for 20th this time around, while England’s depth was on full display throughout the leaderboard.
Ben Bolton (Enville, Staffordshire) turned in a strong showing with a 7th-place finish, and Kris Kim (Wentworth, Surrey) and George Saunders (Liphook, Hampshire) both landed in the top 10, finishing 5th and tied-10th, respectively. That’s four English players in the top 10-an encouraging sign for the national program and a testament to the strength of the current crop of young talent.
But make no mistake: this week belonged to Harley Smith. He didn’t just win-he separated himself. And if this performance is any indication of where he’s headed, the amateur ranks might not be able to hold him for much longer.